Community leaders, parents, and students are calling for a change when it comes to safety and security in Springfield District 186 schools.

This comes after Wednesday’s fatal stabbing of student Pierre Scott outside Lanphier High School.

Teresa Haley, the president of Springfield's NAACP, says she wants metal detectors and more mental health resources accessible in school buildings.

“I'm here to ask members of the school board to do something different,” Haley said. "We need wands, our kids want metal detectors, and I'm here as the president of the NAACP to ask that we do that and that we do that sooner rather than later."

Others that spoke at the special meeting agree that more work needs to be done to protect students and staff.

“It's a senseless act of violence, a person’s life was lost at a very young age.," said Mike Lopez, the village president of Jerome. "Whatever it takes to make the schools safer has to be done now."

District 186 superintendent Jennifer Gill says they’re working on plans to improve safety by listening to student and parent concerns.

“What we're going to try and do is have a menu of options and things we can think about that we can do now in the midterm and long term with our facility projects,” Gill said. “We can always get better and this is a time to analyze things that worked and things we want to secure and do better.”

In the meantime, others say it’s going to take the entire community to make a change.

“I implore that the school district moves forward, that other elected officials who ask for people's votes come up and be known that they want to be a part of this discussion," said Lopez. "We can't do it alone, not one person."

Community leaders also called on the school district to provide more mental health resources for students. When Newschannel20 and Fox Illinois asked the superintendent about this she said psychologists and other staff have been available at schools.

Superintendent Gill said moving forward, the district will look at more safety restrictions when it comes to sporting events like the basketball season. Any changes will be relayed to families.