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HOUSTON - The Houston Independent School District has announced that all high schools will have weapons detection systems. That's according to a letter sent to high school parents from the district.
In the letter, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles said, "District leaders and HISD PD leadership have determined weapons detection systems in our high schools are a necessary tool to keep our high school campuses safe and secure.
School officials said that when the systems are fully implemented, all students, staff, and visitors entering all high school campuses will be screened by the Open Gate weapons detection systems.
Administrators said, "In order to ensure minimal disruption to student learning, we will begin in January and February implementing weapons detection at one new campus each week. Implementation will begin at campuses where firearms have previously been found.
Beginning in March, school officials said they will add multiple campuses each week until all high school campuses have weapons detection systems fully operating by May 2025.
School officials said there will be changes to the students' day once the system is deployed, including:
- All students will need to enter their building through designated entry points each morning. This may be a change from current practice.
- Students, staff, and visitors will need to pass through the screening towers and remove their laptops from their bags or backpacks.
- When the system identifies a potentially prohibited item, the individual will receive secondary screening, typically a more thorough review of their backpacks, pockets, and other personal belongings.
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Administrators said families at the high school campuses will be notified one to two weeks before the systems are implemented at their child's campus. That communication will come from the student's principal, including:
- An invitation to a campus community meeting to answer your questions before the system is formally implemented.
- A detailed explanation of the new entry processes for students arriving in the morning, and visitors to the school during the day.
- More information about items other than weapons or contraband that may trigger secondary screening that students may want to avoid bringing to school.
All high school campuses will practice the new entry protocols before the weapons detection system is implemented at their campus to minimize delays and disruptions once the system is installed.
The school district also provided some a handout with frequently asked questions that you can view here.
The Source: Information provided by the Houston Independent School District.