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Muncie Schools Considers Rules For State-Funded Metal Detector Wands

By Zoe Dwiggins, IPR News | Published on in Education, Local News
One of the handheld metal detector wands issued by the state. (Photo: Charlotte Tuggle)

Like 94 percent of the state’s public schools, Muncie Community Schools asked for and received handheld metal detector wands paid for by a state grant.  Now district board members are getting the first look at the rules for their use inside school buildings.  IPR’s Zoe Dwiggins reports.

The metal detector wands can’t be put to use unless the board approves them and a set of rules on how they’ll be used on students.

MCS Emergency Manager Steve Edwards says these gadgets are simply another safety tool.

“We have the wands, and quite frankly, this is another step in our effort to maintain safe schools.  These metal detectors will be used strictly to identify weapons.”

The proposed rules the board read Tuesday night say these metal detectors would only be used in cases of probable cause.  Searches would also only be done by administrators of the same gender as the student.

Read More:  Hoosier Schools Have Metal Detector Wands. Now What?

The set of rules need to be read, discussed, and voted on at another meeting to become official.  The board is expected to do that at its November 13 meeting.