Staff member says weapons detection systems to be installed in high schools after South Salem pilot

A staff member said weapons detection systems will be installed in all Salem-Keizer high schools this year, with middle schools likely to follow next year, and that school leaders will inform families about specific timing. The staff member said the systems were piloted at South Salem High School and reported fewer attendance violations, fewer behavioral issues and higher attendance during the pilot.

The staff member described the technology as different from traditional metal detectors: students put bags and personal belongings through scanners that target a specific frequency for prohibited items rather than scanning only for metal. "They're designed for multiple students to be able to go through the screening at once," the staff member said, adding that long-term delays to class are not expected even if short-term delays occur during rollout.

When asked whether the systems actually make students safer, the staff member said yes, calling the equipment "one extra safety tool" to prevent prohibited items from entering schools. The staff member said, "It is reported that 50 percent of students and 75 percent of teachers feel safer at school with the new addition of our weapon detection system," and framed those numbers as perceptions reported during the pilot.

The transcript did not specify exact installation dates or provide documentation for the pilot results and perception figures. The staff member said school leaders would communicate installation timing to families; no board vote or formal district action was recorded in this exchange.

The short exchange concluded with thanks from the questioner and the staff member; the district has not provided further details in this transcript about the pilot's methodology, data sources, or timeline beyond the statements above.