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Citrus County board approves safety inspection report as district rolls out handheld detection wands
Summary
The Citrus County School Board approved its quarterly safety and security inspection report after a detailed briefing from Chief Montgomery, who described multiagency training and the districtwide rollout of handheld metal‑detection wands that will be used only on reasonable suspicion or threat assessments.
The Citrus County School Board on Aug. 12 approved its quarterly safety and security school visits inspection report after a presentation on recent multiagency training and a planned district rollout of handheld metal‑detection wands.
Chief Montgomery told the board the training, hosted at Rock Crusher Elementary, included school resource officers, guardians and administrators and improved coordination with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. "Their response time was, I mean, in less than 2 minutes, a lot of the cases," Montgomery said, describing the exercise as a useful test of response procedures and equipment.
Montgomery said the district has purchased handheld detection “wands” and has trained principals, assistant principals and deans in their use. "These wands are a way to conduct a less intrusive, more accurate alternative to traditional search methods," Montgomery said, adding that the devices "are only used when a report has been made or there's a specific concern about a student possibly in possession of a prohibited item." She demonstrated the device and explained settings that produce audio or vibration alerts.
The chief walked the board through procedures when a wand signals an alert: nonweapon alerts such as suspected vapes trigger administrator follow‑up and, where appropriate, parental involvement for a hands‑on search; suspected weapons prompt law enforcement involvement and may provide probable cause for a formal search. Montgomery emphasized two‑person protocols for searches and described training in threat assessment teams and reunification planning.
Board members pressed for specifics on documentation and communications. Montgomery said the Department of Education’s recent review of four schools initially flagged deficiencies tied to inconsistent threat‑management meeting minutes, and the district will migrate documentation to a state portal (VersaTerm) that sends reminders to committee members. She also flagged equipment gaps — especially intercoms and cell/radio coverage — as items staff plan to address.
Mr. Dodd moved to approve the quarterly safety and security inspection report; Mr. Faraday seconded the motion. The chair called the vote and the motion passed (an "I opposed" was recorded during the roll call). The board did not adopt new blanket search policies at the meeting; Montgomery said the wand protocol will be used only when reasonable suspicion or a threat assessment indicates it is warranted. The district plans further communications to parents, including a short video showing use of the devices.
