Board approves new Guardian weapons‑detection technician position to support expanded daily screening

The Manatee County School Board on April 8 approved a new job description and position described as a Guardian Weapons Detection Systems Technician to support planned expansion of daily screening across district middle schools and to maintain operations in high schools.

Board action: Superintendent Dr. Christopher Wysong recommended approval of the new position; the board voted 5–0 to adopt the job description and create the position.

Why the position: Wysong said the district is moving to “universal daily screening” in middle schools starting in August — the same general approach already in place for high schools — and that scaling up screening requires additional equipment plus personnel with specialized troubleshooting and maintenance skills. Wysong said the position will be filled by a fully certified school guardian who will receive additional training to perform in‑depth troubleshooting and maintenance on the district’s Guardian weapons‑detection systems.

Board discussion: Board members asked for and received confirmation that the job description had been updated following board feedback. The superintendent and staff said the technician will float among district schools, handle equipment issues and help ensure the screening program operates reliably once expanded.

Vote summary: The motion to approve the new job description and position passed unanimously, 5–0.

Ending: The district said the new role is part of the staffing and equipment scale‑up required to implement the board’s January direction to expand daily screening; staff said hiring will proceed under the approved job description.