The South Butler County School District will begin using metal detectors in school buildings when school resumes next month.
According to a letter from Superintendent Dr. David Foley, the district has purchased nine metal detectors after a recent threat assessment by State Police recommended the action be taken.
Two detectors will be placed at the main doors of the high school, two at the main doors of the middle school, and two at the gymnasium doors facing Knoch Road. All secondary students will be required to enter the school at these doors each school day. Trained staff members will search all bags.
A metal detector will also be placed in the captured entrances of the secondary buildings for use by students and adults entering the building after the start of the school day. Additional metal detectors will also be placed in each of the captured entrances at the Primary and Intermediate Elementary Schools. Elementary students will not be required to pass through the detectors on a daily basis but random screenings of the students at these buildings will occur. Adults visiting any South Butler schools will be required to pass through the detectors and be subject to a search of any bags.
Building administration and school police will explain procedures to students during the first few days of school then detectors will be used following the Labor Day break. The process could be time consuming at first but is expected to move more smoothly through the year.
