Parents and community members urged the Binghamton City School District Board of Education on Oct. 21 to replace the high school’s current weapon‑detection system with a courthouse‑grade metal detector staffed by trained officers.

Aaron Thomas, a parent, told the board that the district’s current weapon detection technology—referred to in public comments as a weapons detection system—does not reliably flag large metal threats and is not equivalent to the metal detectors used at the Broome County Courthouse. Thomas urged the board to cancel any plans with weapons‑detection vendors, apologize to families for what he called misleading communications, and consult the Broome County Government Security Division on installing courthouse‑quality detectors and contracting officers to operate them.

Chantala Paper Vasquez and other speakers echoed concern about transparency and consistency in district communications. Vasquez cited district parent emails in late August and September that, according to the emails she read aloud, said a weapons detection system had been demonstrated and that no purchase was finalized. Vasquez asked why the purchase was again on the district agenda for discussion on Oct. 21.

Superintendent (name not specified) and staff did not announce a decision during public comment. Meeting materials on Oct. 21 and earlier district emails—referenced by speakers—showed the district had demonstrated a weapon detection product but had not finalized purchases as of Sept. 24. Public commenters asked the board to pursue the proven courthouse metal‑detection approach and to involve Broome County security officials in planning.

Board members did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting. Several speakers asked for clearer communications to families when demonstrations, pilots or purchases of security equipment occur, and for a public explanation of what equipment is currently in place at the high school.