As high school students in Broward County return to classes on Monday, they’ll encounter a new layer of security designed to enhance safety on campus.
School officials are urging students and parents alike to prepare for potential delays as the district rolls out metal detectors across multiple schools.
Broward Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn showcased the new security procedures during a demonstration at South Plantation High School on Wednesday.
“This is an additional layer of security for our schools,” Hepburn stated. “To ensure the safety and security of all staff and students. If you’ve ever been to an airport or attended an athletic event, it’s a similar situation.”
The primary goal of this initiative is to prevent weapons such as guns and knives, along with other prohibited items, from entering school premises. However, the metal detectors may also be triggered by non-dangerous items, potentially slowing down the screening process. Everyday objects like cellphones, three-ring binders, umbrellas, and even hard eyeglass cases can set off the detectors.
Hepburn advised students to be proactive in minimizing delays. “Before you get to the metal detector, you want to remove these items from your backpack so you can pass through with ease,” he explained. “There will be staff stationed adjacent to the detectors. You hand over your items, walk through, and they’ll return them to you. If the detector goes off, there’s a secondary station for a quick scan to verify you don’t have anything prohibited, and you can go on with your day.”
This district-wide implementation of metal detectors follows a successful pilot program conducted over the summer at J.P. Taravella and Charles W. Flanagan high schools.
No phone usage at Broward schools
In addition to the new security measures, the Broward County School Board has introduced a stricter cellphone policy. S
tarting with the 2024-2025 school year, students will be required to keep their phones off or in airplane mode throughout the school day, including during lunch and other free periods.
The school board unanimously approved the new policy on Tuesday, expanding on last year’s rule, which only required phones to be silenced or turned off during class.
Read: Broward County introduces metal detectors at two summer school sites
