MUNCIE — Muncie Community Schools says it plans to start random security checks and locker searches at its high school and two middle schools.
The checks will include "wanding" students with handheld metal detectors and using K-9 officers to determine if any illegal items are being stored in lockers.
WRTV INVESTIGATES:Schools use metal detector wands sparingly three years after state issued them
The procedure received unanimous approval Tuesday.
In September,a Muncie Central High School student was placed in police custody after a handgun was found inside a locker and backpack.
To improve school safety, the state distributed 3,436 handheld metal detectors to 422 school corporations back in 2019 for a total cost to taxpayers of $352,718.
Muncie Community Schools ordered 17 handheld metal detectors.
"We still have the metal detectors we were issued and we use them for various special events (most recently, the senior after prom). They are in the office of our security director and used when needed," MCS told WRTV in June 2022.
The district says the new protocols will be conducted by school administrators and security team members.
On May 24, Muncie Community Schools announced it was partnering with private security firm Legacy Life Security Solutions. The total cost of using the outside security firm is $675,000 a year.
MCS says 15 employees of Legacy Life have all gone through School Resource Officer training as well as de-escalation, active shooter and cultural competency training.
"Muncie schools are not dangerous at all, but we’re taking these steps as additional deterrents that I think parents will appreciate,” Robert Scaife, the owner of Legacy Life Solutions, said. “I have family in the elementary, middle school and high school, and I’m confident that they’re safe.”
WRTV INVESTIGATES: Muncie Community Schools will do its own background checks as former contracted security officer charged | Most Indiana elementary schools do not have a school resource officer
The district says the frequency of the security checks will be determined by administrators and are "expected to begin soon."
You canread more from the district about its plans here.
WRTV Investigates Kara Kenney contributed to this report.
-
Over 500 baby sea turtles washed ashore in a big storm off South Africa
An aquarium in South Africa is stretched beyond capacity after more than 500 baby sea turtles were washed up on beaches by a rare and powerful storm and rescued by members of the public.School 87 parents push for change at IPS town hall
IPS parents are still demanding answers and pushing for change. It comes weeks after a video and a lawsuit accused a former School 87 teacher of encouraging students to attack each other.18-year-old is youngest to earn Master's Degree at Indiana University in 2024
Tiara Abraham earned her Master’s Degree from Indiana University on Friday. The accomplishment makes her the youngest to do so in 2024 across all IU campuses statewide, and up next is her doctorate.Man shot, killed on Indy's near north side; suspect detained
A man was shot and killed on the near north side of Indianapolis early Saturday morning and police said a suspect was detained.