Whether it happens on the street corner or on school campus, gun violence keeps a community on edge.

After the third school shooting in less than five months, the school board has responded with a plan to curb school violence.

The plan was unveiled at Monday’s school board meeting, a week after Stacey Kiser, a 19-year-old senior at Mitchell High School, was shot and critically wounded by a 17-year-old schoolmate.

Last Thursday, Kiser was released from the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, but returned Tuesday for a routine checkup on the injuries that nearly cost him his life. He was shot three times in the school cafeteria on Feb. 11.

Kiser’s mother died when he was four years old. His grandfather, William Kiser, has raised him and five others as a single parent. He is concerned about Stacey’s recovery.

After the near-fatal shooting, William Kiser has been bombarded by the media and designated Chaplain Novella Smith Arnold as the family spokesperson.

“The bullet in his leg has come out and another one has come out,” said Arnold. “But the bullet in his neck is still there. The doctors don’t want to jeopardize anything. They don’t want it to go to his spine.

“He’s in pain and taking pain medication. He’s going to therapy for his leg wound. I suggested that he be home-schooled until he gets better. But I’m not sure he’d be back in school soon or if he wants to go back.”

While Kiser is recuperating from his injuries, the board’s plan of action calls for the purchase of 15 X-ray machines to assist in metal detector searches. Memphis City Schools Interim Supt. Dan Ward is also asking for 23 additional security officers for a price tag of $1.2 million.

Thirty-seven security officers and 42 Memphis Police Department officers (Officers In the Schools) currently patrol middle schools and high schools. Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton also pledged to re-deploy 67 police officers.

Ward

The board plans to beef up security with a team to assist with metal detector screenings at “high risk” schools. “These are things we have been working on to put in place,” said Ward, following the board meeting.

“It’s a comprehensive plan,” said Commissioner Betty J. Mallott. “It’s no such thing as a single solution for something as complex as school safety.”

Other safety measures already in place at MCS include video surveillance at middle and high schools, controlled access for visitors, campus monitors, alternative schools for students with serious behavior problems, PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) coaches, and a phone camera-controlled buzzer entry systems at elementary schools.    

On Monday night, the auditorium was filled with people looking to the board for solutions. James Sawyer was among those who complained about student violence and the need for a solution.

“The recent spate of violence has caused an uproar in our community,” said Sawyer. “Of the 50,508 students projected to be in middle high school, four have been involved in violence. These four students are causing us to spend millions.”

For the students who can’t seem to get it together, Ward said, “We’re not going to put up with a lot of foolishness. We’re going to do all we can to make sure it (the security plan) works.”

Mallot

Mallott said the entire community must pull together to arrest school violence.

“We have a big job and we all need help to make this happen. The school system can’t do this alone.”