Putnam County School Officials have completed initial testing of metal detectors at Monterey High School as part of a system-wide evaluation.
The school system purchased detectors to see how students would respond and how they logistically might work. Monterey was the first test. Deputy Director of Schools Tim Martin said things went smoothly after a brief adjustment period.
“It’s worked really well for us,” Martin said. “We had a little bit of a backup the first day, but that evened out by the second day, and things have gone really smoothly since then.”
Martin said the district plans to continue testing the metal detectors at other schools before making any long-term decisions.
“At a minimum, we will go to each high school,” Martin said. “After that, we’ll survey students and the community, and then the Board of Education will make their decision.”
Martin said the detectors are designed to focus on safety without disrupting the school day. Martin said the system took time to make students feel better about the detectors.
“The most challenging part was getting students comfortable with the process,” Martin said. “Once they saw how simple it was and how it worked, everything went just fine.”
Martin said feedback from students has been positive, with many saying the detectors make them feel safer at school.
“We heard from some students right after the first day, and the feedback was very positive,” Martin said. “They feel like it’s going to make their school safer, and after the first couple of days, it’s very unobtrusive.”
Martin said the same portable set of metal detectors will be moved to Upperman High School next, followed by Cookeville High School, with possible testing at middle schools if time allows.
“These detectors are meant to detect guns in particular,” Martin said. “You can walk through with your phone and keys, and it’s not like going to the airport.”
He said the district’s goal is to balance school safety with maintaining a welcoming environment for students.