School Security in the Spotlight at Students Return to Woodrow W - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

School Security in the Spotlight at Students Return to Woodrow Wilson High

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In March, Raleigh County school officials said a call came into the Safe Schools Hotline in Charleston.

It was in reference to a threat being made at Woodrow Wilson High School -- that a student at the school would be shot at lunch.

Officials responded to the call by pulling several students out of class and placing an increased police presence on campus.    

Five months later, though, there are still more questions than answers about what happened next.   

Parents sending their kids back to school want to know they will be safe when walk through the doors at Woodrow High School.

"You don't want them going to school scared, you don't want them going terrified," said Sheila Adkins, a parent.    

The school's principal, Marsha Smith, said the school is not doing anything different this year to step up school safety.

Like every year, she said the school will have cameras and an officer on duty.

Still, parent Jenny Lester argues that's not enough.

"I think it has to do with the school system itself. We're putting our kids in the school's hands. I think we should feel safe that we're doing that and I don't necessarily think that's the case in Raleigh County," said Lester.

Student MacKenzie Millon isn't worried. What happened at Woodrow, she said, can happen anywhere.

"I don't worry. I just take it day by day. Whatever happens. You can't stop something like that at school the movies, or in Colorado," added Millon.