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Weber to pilot weapons screening, panic system and add security staff at 2 Rivers campus
Summary
District staff said they will pilot a metal detector and expand audio‑enhancement panic alerts at the 2 Rivers campus, consider contracting an armed private security officer at an estimated $50,000–$60,000 per year, and coordinate funding from school safety grants while guardians program compliance remains incomplete.
Lane Finsley, a district staff member addressing the board, described security challenges at the 2 Rivers campus and summarized planned safety steps: deploy audio‑enhancement panic alert units, pilot a weapons detection system (walk‑through metal detector), and contract a security officer to staff screening.
“I will tell you from a security viewpoint standpoint, it is our most challenging campus,” Finsley said, describing nearby community factors, student populations served there and instances of weapons and violence that have affected staff safety.
Finsley said the district has installed audio‑enhancement units in roughly half the district and will extend those units to the 2 Rivers portables so teachers can activate a “panic alert” from classroom wall units. Cost and installation of that system are currently a one‑time expense; staff called it a priority at 2 Rivers.
The district has purchased a Garrett metal detector and will pilot weapons screening at the 2 Rivers main entrance. To staff screening and avoid assigning school employees to search visitors, district staff proposed contracting an armed private security officer; Finsley estimated the cost at “about 50 to $60,000 per year for an officer.” He said the district is collecting bids through an RFP process.
On funding, staff said school safety grants would likely cover initial purchases and installation, but ongoing staffing costs would need a longer‑term funding plan. A district speaker estimated total first‑year costs for the pilot and audio enhancements “just over $300,000” and said the audio equipment is the major one‑time expense.
Board members asked about timelines, entry flow and ADA compliance; staff said the pilot will be site‑specific to 2 Rivers and will require operational planning, including search procedures and communications with parents. Finsley said parents and students will be notified before installation and that the district expects less community backlash for a screening pilot at an alternative high school than it might at a traditional high school.
The board also discussed the state Guardian program created by recent law. Finsley said the state expects many districts to be noncompliant in the near term as they work toward implementation, and cited conversations with regional law enforcement and a state representative indicating about “80% noncompliance this year for guardians.” He said guardian identities are kept confidential and that recruiting volunteer guardians will likely require incentives or stipends.
No formal motions were taken at the meeting; staff presented plans and requested guidance and funding analysis.
