Parent says child was suspended due to weapon detector confusion at CMS school

CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools student has been suspended after using the wrong door to enter his school.

The incident occurred the first-day weapon detectors went into use, and his mother feels the punishment does not fit the crime.

CMS said students and parents were given notice about the scanners going into effect this week.

The district said it sent out messages explaining how students should walk through the bus and car rider entrances, not the staff entrances.

Channel 9′s Erika Jackson said she learned that not all students went through the proper doors, resulting in punishment for those who violated the new policy.

Starting Friday, Rock River High School students walked through weapon detectors upon arrival for the first time.

“I really agree with the metal detectors,” parent Janiri Flores said.

Flores said her son James normally enters the school through a door used by staff members.

She said her son never had issues using those entrances until Friday.

“He came down from the bus. And he had to go through the metal detector. They said he went around and went to a door ... the teacher is going through the door,” Flores said. “They tell him he’s suspended three days, just because he avoided going through the metal detector.”

Flores told Channel 9 that her son eventually walked through the scanner before heading to class. He then walked to an office in the school and was told about his suspension.

Flores said her son was not the only student to have this experience.

A CMS spokesperson said several students went through a staff entrance, and they were all disciplined for violating the student code of conduct.

“I don’t agree with a three-day suspension just to avoid a metal detector. He didn’t bring a weapon. He didn’t bring nothing dangerous to school,” Flores said.

When asked what she thought a fair punishment would be, Flores said, “(Maybe) ESS or some type of community service.”

Flores said she was not happy about her son’s suspension, but she is happy with the new measures in place at Rocky River.

“I just want the kids be safe. I agree for the safety first,” Flores said.

South Carolina’s Florence One School District said it started using similar technology last year.

The district’s security director said his team has not found one gun since the weapon detectors have been put to use.

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Metal detectors to be installed at all Catawba County middle and high schools

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