BOSTON — Members of the Service Employees International Union, Local 888, held a rally recently calling for more security at Boston Public Schools. The union, which represents district administrators and support staff, is urging Superintendent Brenda Cassellius to develop a plan to improve student and staff safety on district campuses.
The rally was held in response to the attack of Principal Patricia Lampron of the Henderson K-12 Inclusion School on Nov. 3 by a 16-year-old student, reports WCVB. Lampron was knocked unconscious during the attack and required treatment at a local hospital. Although she was released from the hospital the following day, she is still on medical leave.
The school where the attack on the principal occurred has already made changes to security, including new arrival and dismissal protocols. The district is also hiring new safety specialists to connect families with targeted support and improve communication. However, the union wants more safety and security improvements at all schools in the city, reports Boston.CBSLocal.
Specifically, the union wants the district to install more video surveillance and fix the security cameras that are already installed.
“Is it acceptable that the security cameras at this facility haven’t been in operation for two years? The answer is, it is unacceptable,” said a rally attendee, reports MSN.
The union also wants the district to look at how it is using its metal detectors, which are supposed to be used daily. Rally attendees say, however, that the metal detectors are normally unplugged and put in a corner in the cafeteria.
The 16-year-old female suspect involved in the attack is facing one count of assault and battery on a victim over 60 years of age; one count of assault causing serious bodily injury and two counts of assault and battery on a public employee, reports WCVB.
This article first appeared on SSI sister site Campus Safety.
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