ALL the trees have been removed from near the perimeter fence that surrounds the St James High School, barbed wire now sits atop the fencing, guards use a hand-held metal detector to check students who enter and there are random searches to weed out weapons.

The school’s security bill has doubled to about $90,000 a month for the one part-time and four full-time guards stationed at the educational facility that now bears a closer resemblance to a correctional facility — at least in some areas.

“We have completely sealed the school, we are cutting down the trees right around the school and … the fence is completely repaired,” school board chairman, Lee Bailey ,told the Observer Wednesday. “The barbed wire is going up on the fence and we have twice the security (guards we used to have). Also, at the moment I have borrowed a metal detector which we are using at the gate…”

Security has been beefed up because of a June 12 incident in which a 17 year-old male student was stabbed to death by his 16 year-old peer.

But school administrators, aware of the fact that the battle against school violence cannot be won by a show of force alone, have other plans to put in place. A mentoring programme, a cadet corps, a cricket club, a co-educational gym and regular pep talks by those willing to get involved are among the steps that the school board and its teachers hope will steer their 2,400 students in the right direction.

On Wednesday, chief purser for Carnival Cruise Lines, Tiffani Caltabiano, gave the first motivational speech to a rapt audience of about 35 students. She will make a personal donation of a metal security wand to the school next week, to supplement the borrowed one they now use.

“I hope in the future there is no more tragedy and killing in the school. I understand that this is not the norm here, that the children are usually good and smart and want to get an education,” she told the Observer after the brief meeting.

“I’m hoping we get through to them and get them to focus on their studies and how to get along. There are enough problems in the world as it is, than to have another little problem brewing in your own community. These kids are the future, the ones who are going to be making policies and decisions, so we want to make sure everything is straight before they get out there in the world.”

There were also encouraging words from school board member and attorney, Sandra Graham-Brite, who urged the students to prove their detractors wrong and go on to excel. She also volunteered her time to students interested in the law and will more than likely become one of the mentors the school’s administration will lean on in the years to come.

“We’re gonna … prove to the community that we have a school that is worthy of being in the community and (our students) are gonna come out here and be good and decent citizens,” Bailey vowed.

A local businessman has promised to install the gym equipment while another has promised to start the cricket club.

According to Bailey emphasis will be placed on the boys, especially those between 15 and 16 years-old who, he said, tend to act up and then settle down once they get to age 17.

School administrators will now track problem boys in that age range and try to intervene before they spiral out of control.

“It seems parents need to pay more attention to the 15 to 16 year-olds. Whatever is happening in their life is changing them and I’m trying to figure out what it is,” the school board chairman said. “So I’m asking the school to look at the files of that age group and sometimes we may be able to pick up a trend in there. Then we can call him in and say we’re keeping an eye on you. Right now we’re looking at the files at random.”