SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (WNYT) – The Schenectady City School District held a Board of Education meeting Wednesday night at the district offices following a string of recent incidents.

Dozens of parents, including Joy Alexander, were in attendance and voiced their concerns to the board.

“It’s hard to, you know, send your kids to school every day and you’re worried about, is my child safe?” Alexander said.

Most parents are furious and upset with the district after two major incidents over the past couple of weeks.

 This past Monday, Schenectady Police arrested a 12-year-old boy for making threats to shoot up a Schenectady School on Snapchat, and last week a fight broke out at Schenectady High School leaving two students injured in a stabbing.

“Parents should have the right to choose. Do they want their kids in school or online? Because at this point this is a hazard. This is as dangerous and as bad as covid,” one parent said.

The district presented a new safety plan at the board meeting. The plan includes installing weapon detectors across the district as a new safety measure.

The district’s Board of Education President Bernice Rivera led the meeting Wednesday and introduced herself to everyone in the room prior.  

“We are all here for the same purpose. Our students, not division,” Rivera said. “We also understand the recent events have yet again, an emotional impact on our students and staff. We understand the frustration, anxiety, anger and sadness that many of you feel.”