School staff outline phased weapons‑detection rollout at Smithville Haskell; student walkthroughs planned

District safety and operations staff presented plans on Feb. 13 for a phased weapons‑detection screening rollout at Smithville Haskell (described in materials as the Smithville Haskell weapons detection rollout). The timeline and details remain fluid but staff described steps to reduce anxiety and familiarize students.

Support services and school leaders said they would set up the screening location, produce a parent information video and give students opportunities to walk through the equipment in a low‑pressure setting before full‑operation. Staff said the objective is to make the procedure routine and to educate students about common items that trigger the sensors.

Staff described a tentative schedule: location set and reviewed by Feb. 14, parent video and communications by Feb. 24, student walk‑throughs during advisory/pack of block sessions, and a phased start with bus‑entrance transition March 3, front‑door operations March 6 and full operation around March 10. Staff cautioned the dates are “fluid” and said they planned to send information to families at least seven days in advance.

“We'll have it set up in, like, either the commons area or near the cafeteria and just allow students to walk through it. You know, no pressure, just walk through it, see what goes off,” a staff presenter said when discussing student practice runs.

Why this matters: the rollout follows trials at Windsor High and is intended to reduce anxiety and operational friction by building student familiarity before full deployment. Board members asked for student feedback after the first week; student liaison Cameron Hicks agreed to report back.

What’s next: staff will finalize timing with principals, distribute the parent information video, hold student walkthroughs, and report outcomes after the initial operational week.