LANSING, Mich. — In response to the recent discovery of a disassembled, unloaded weapon on campus, Dwight Rich School of the Arts will implement metal detectors and handheld wands at all student entrances starting Tuesday, May 27.
The school sent a message to parents announcing the new security measures, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment. Additional staff will be present at entry points to ensure students can enter quickly and with minimal disruption.
The incident came to light on May 22 when a weapon was found inside an unspecified area of the school. Lansing police confirmed that a 12-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident. Authorities were called to the school at approximately 4:17 p.m. after staff discovered the weapon.
Parents received notifications shortly after 8 p.m. that day, informing them of the situation. However, some parents expressed frustration over the timing and communication. Amber Petersen, a former parent of students at Dwight Rich, cited the lack of timely updates as a factor in her decision to withdraw her children from the school.
“Obviously it’s not gotten any better or we wouldn’t have dealt with what happened yesterday,” Petersen said. “Luckily we moved out of district and were able to get our kids out of the school, but not everybody has that option, and they’re stuck. It’s not a Dwight Rich issue, it’s a Lansing issue, and it’s not getting addressed.”
In the message to families, Principal Shannon Harris acknowledged that the new security protocols represent a significant change but reassured parents and students that the measures aim to create a secure environment for uninterrupted learning.
“Students should continue bringing their regular items to school,” Harris said. “Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and partnership in keeping our school safe.”
The district encourages parents to reach out directly to the school administration with any questions or concerns as these new protocols take effect.
