Repeater
Regular Member
Security concerns aired at Henrico board meeting
[size=+1]Henrico School Board member Diana D. Winston wants to feel safe![/size]
A Henrico School Board member this week raised concerns about security during board meetings and sparked a lively discussion about implementing some security improvements in the near future.
Given recent violent events at public gatherings and toward public officials, Diana D. Winston of the Three Chopt District said at Thursday's work session that she fears for her safety.
"In light of recent events in this country ... I have very serious security concerns," Winston said. "We are obviously sitting out here wide open. We do have police presence at our seven o'clock meeting. We don't have it here during our work sessions."
She highlighted the case in Panama City, Fla., last month when a gunman entered a school board meeting and opened fire. His shots didn't injure anyone, and the man killed himself after being wounded by a security guard.
Winston raised the security issue during a board discussion about a future meeting place. The school board is expected to be out of the Glen Echo Building on Nine Mile Road before summer.
Winston's concerns now may play in the board's decision of where to meet during the estimated three years it will take to plan, design and build a new facility.
Brookland District member Linda L. McBride said the board should keep its presence in eastern Henrico.
"If security is our concern, [the boardroom] is not a school facility, therefore anyone may come in with a weapon in hand as they do all the time at the board of supervisors meeting," she said. "Yes they are scanned, people know that they have the weapons, but they do sit there with their gun strapped on them and I have seen them many, many times.
"Just be aware that the metal detectors will not keep somebody from coming in with a gun," she said.
Winston said regardless of who is on the board is or where the future board meets, those at a public meeting should feel safe.
[size=+1]Henrico School Board member Diana D. Winston wants to feel safe![/size]
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