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Board recommends pilot of portable weapons-detection units at Easton High stadium
Summary
Facilities and safety staff proposed a pilot of portable, non-AI weapons-detection pillars at Easton High School stadium (two units, roughly $49,000) to screen high-attendance events; the plan calls for sheriff's-office staffing for stadium events and a later evaluation before any school-entry rollout.
Mr. Schaffer recommended the board approve a pilot purchase of portable weapons-detection units for Easton High School stadium and possibly expand if the pilot proves feasible. He said the focus group that reviewed national systems ranked a non-AI, traditional metal-detection pillar system as an affordable option that "has high throughput, and very portable and easy setup." He recommended two units with accessories, training and shipping at roughly $49,000.
Schaffer said the pilot would be staffed by the sheriff's office for stadium events and that the district's training plan would include sheriff's personnel; if the approach proved operationally viable, the district could consider additional deployments. "So this is a very affordable system, very reliable system," he said, noting the cost advantages over AI-enabled alternatives and the district's limited discretionary funding for safety hardware.
Board members raised staffing, signage and equity questions. Schaffer said the stadium pilot leverages existing deputy staffing for events and that signage and public announcements would be used to minimize issues (for example, parents carrying penknives). He also provided a second quote that included a third unit for Saint Michael's but did not recommend it immediately, citing budget constraints and the pilot nature of the proposal.
The recommendation would be funded in part from a county-provided weapons-detection allocation (board members referenced a $400,000 county contribution earlier in the budget discussion) and would be evaluated after implementation; Schaffer asked the board to consider pulling the item from consent if trustees sought additional discussion.
