Metal detectors arrive in Sharon Middle/High School
Apr. 4—SHARON — Some Sharon Middle/High School students waited outside Tuesday in the rain for 15 minutes as they came back from spring break to new metal detectors in the school.
School board members approved the addition of metal detectors in September, and parents and students had two warnings to get students to school early to be checked by metal detectors that day.
"The metal detectors were a result of a safety and security assessment conducted last year in an attempt to increase layers of security," Superintendent Justi Glaros said. "There was no pressing concern. In reviewing procedures, we thought it was the next best step."
Nothing was confiscated from students the first day. Everyone passed through without any problems, Glaros said.
There are two stations of metal detectors, at the east and west entrances.
As students enter the school, they place their Chromebooks on a desk and walk through the weapons detection, said Garrett Dout, IT director. If the detector goes off, students go to another aisle where a principal looks through their bags and uses a metal-detecting wand if needed.
Dout said it is a metal detector, but they are considered to be intelligent detectors, which means the parameters of what can be detected can be adjusted.
"Right now we're looking for weapons or pistols and we can lower the parameter down to vapes," Dout said. "So it's a multi-function metal detector."
He added that the district will acquire X-ray machines to speed up the process so bags go through without students having to stop.
At this time, the detectors will be used only in the morning for student arrival. But they will be used eventually in other situations. Since the devices are portable, they can be taken to the stadium and used at football games.
Dout said the machines were purchased from the company CEIA USA, whose products are used in other venues.
"It's the type of machine professional athletes use to get into stadiums," Dout said. "With the versatility of the machine, it was the best option."
The metal detectors went into effect Tuesday when the students returned from spring break. Even though students waited in the rain the first day, Dout said everything went smoothly on day two, Wednesday, when every student made it through in time for the first bell.
"It's getting smoother," Dout said. "As we continue going, this procedure will get smoother and faster. With anything new, there is always a learning curve."
Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com
Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com
