Stop the Metal Detection Policy at Dallas High School!!

Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither, and will lose both. - Benjamin Franklin

On the afternoon of February 2nd, Dallas High School principal Jeffery Shaffer announced to the Junior and Senior classes that the metal detection equipment was no longer a decorative eyesore in the entrance to the school: As of Monday, it would be functional.

As of now, the Dallas High School has planned to implement what is arguably the most severe restrictions on civil liberties among all the local schools in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This high school is continuing to blur the difference between prisons and public schools.

Our first concern is the students right to privacy. In a Supreme Court ruling (the very same that the school cites), states that public school students can only be searched if there is reasonable suspicion that a student has some sort of contraband. Forcing searches on randomly selected students not permitted under these circumstances. (see: COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania, Appellant, v. Vincent Francis CASS, Appellee., 469 U.S. 325 New Jersey v. T.L.O.)

According to the student handbook provided to the students, Hazing that endangers physical health is:

"Endanger the physical health shall include but not be limited to any brutality of a physical nature, such as: whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, beverage, drug or controlled substance or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual."

The school's new safety policy requires students to be exposed to radiation from the scanner and the x-ray machine in order to get into the school. Refusal to do so will result in a 3-day suspension.

In summary: the school provides no alternative, and we are given no other option. Some will argue that we also face the same procedures when boarding an airplane or visiting a museum. The difference is however, we are legally mandated by the state to attend school. Boarding an airplane is not legally required.

Also, as per the new safety policy, students could potentially have their legal right to an education hindered. Should the alarm sound, the parents of the students are required to come into the school. What happens after that is not specified by the policy.

If a student’s parents are too far away to return to the school, or if they are unable to come, it is unclear how the student will be treated.

When asked, Jeffery Shaffer stated that new students are moving into the district, bringing their own unique problems with them. When a student openly objected to the policy, she was blatantly ignored, but was thanked by her classmates who were too afraid to speak up for themselves.


This policy is a violation of our rights. We wish to see this policy retracted and to be guaranteed our right to an education.

For more information, please see:

http://teacherweb.com/PA/DallasHighSchool/SchoolHomePage

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Dallas_High_gets_metal_detector_02-04-2012.html