North Judson-San Pierre School officials were tasked with developing some new policies related to metal detectors.
Over the summer, a state-wide safety initiative allowed schools to apply to receive handheld metal detectors for free. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin said that most Hoosier schools are now faced with incorporating appropriate usage rules for the new devices.
Zupin said, “We received four here at North Judson-San Pierre. With that, they did not send any policies or guidance so in the meantime the School Board Association and some legal teams around the state have put together some sample policies.”
Dr. Zupin said the majority of schools are starting out with these sample policies. Over the next few years, these rules are expected to expand. The superintendent said NEOLA doesn’t even have a policy yet but they’ll likely develop one in the near future.
She added that as officials get more familiar with the equipment, the policies will likely be amended to reflect what works best for NJ-SP.
Superintendent Zupin emphasized that the metal detectors will only be used in cases where there is reasonable suspicion that a student has a weapon on campus.
She noted that school officials will go through some metal detector training with the Police Department over the next few weeks, before the policies go up for adoption at the board’s next meeting in October.
