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Board approves metal detectors and creates district safety director role; principal and safety staff back both moves
Summary
Trustees approved purchase of three Ballistic Scan walkthrough detectors ($34,350) and voted to create a Safety & Security Director position to centralize security coordination. Principal Morant and campus safety staff supported the detector purchase, emphasizing vaping and concealed‑weapon detection.
The board voted to purchase three Ballistic Scan walkthrough detectors — portable, non‑intrusive units designed to detect concealed weapons and vaping devices — for the high school and high‑traffic entry points. The staff report explained the devices reduce false alarms while identifying knives, guns and vapes; the cost for three units (including optional extended warranties and shipping) totaled $34,350, and trustees approved the purchase by unanimous vote.
Principal Morant and campus safety staff described the detectors as a timely response to concerns about vaping and campus security and said the units are lightweight, portable and can be monitored remotely. Trustees asked whether students would be allowed to keep backpacks during screening; district staff said Chromebooks may be asked to be removed for scanning but that operational details and student flow would be finalized with principals.
In the same meeting the board voted to create a district Safety & Security Director position (funded by 31A) to centralize leadership over building safety monitors, youth advocates and MTSS specialists, and to serve as liaison to local law enforcement and neighboring districts. The new role was described as necessary to ensure consistency of safety practices across buildings, more efficient deployment of staff and stronger community coordination. The board approved the position and indicated it will post or identify the director and finalize reporting lines.
Trustees emphasized that safety equipment and staffing must align with the district’s surveillance system and larger security strategy. They asked staff to confirm whether the new detectors will integrate with existing surveillance and to provide logistics for entry screening schedules to minimize daily delays.
What’s next: staff to coordinate locker/entry protocols, confirm systems integration, and present an operational plan for screening that accommodates large student flows with minimal disruption.
