Metal cups among items newly prohibited in Tuscaloosa County schools

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Students attending Tuscaloosa County Schools can expect some new changes when classes get underway in August.

Every county high school and middle school will have weapon detection systems installed to keep students, teachers and administrators safe. Jennifer Teffs lives in Lakeview and has children who attend Brookwood high and middle schools. She supports the new changes.

“It’s all for safety and you want your kids safe. It’s not just guns, it’s knives and other weapons that could cause problems. I like having metal detectors in school protecting my child, then having to pay for burying my kids at a funeral. Anything to keep them alive is a benefit to me,” said Teffs.

Ty Blocker says the new weapon detection systems cost $700,000. County schools got a grant from the Alabama Lieutenant Governor’s office in Montgomery. Blocker is the Student Services Director for Tuscaloosa County Schools.

“It always makes us feel great when we are able to take steps to sure up safety. We have a saying that safety trumps all, and so anytime we have an opportunity to sure up safety in our schools, it is something we are going to do from year-to-year,” said Blocker.

Some other schools like Tuscaloosa County High School are also making changes this year. Students will not be allowed to bring in metal drinking cups, but plastic clear containers will be allowed. Blocker says each individual school makes their own decisions on what changes get made.

“There are several schools that will evaluate year by year based on their individual school, and they will determine what’s needed, and what’s safe for their schools based on their previous years evaluation,” Blocker said.

Teffs supports new changes at Brookwood Middle School. Students will no longer be allowed to bring large backpacks on campus. Administrators are planning to purchase smaller bags and will issue one bag per student. Brookwood Middle School students will also not be allowed to bring in metal drinking cups.

“It is having clear plastic cups and this year they don’t want the metal cups. Those cups are loud when they fall and cause more work for the janitorial staff,” Teffs said.

Classes begin August 8.

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