ST. LOUIS- Collinsville School District students aren't expected back in school for another week, but many students will notice things might look a little different when they return on Aug. 17.
The district says that it will begin to use a new security screening tool as threats to schools have increased.
Collinsville Superintendent Dr. Mark Skertich joined Megan Lynch on Total Information A.M. talking about the district new security system to detect weapons.
Collinsville Community Unit 10 administration sent a letter out to parents saying that the district will begin to use an electronic analysis system, called OPENGATE, a walk-through detection system. The system will have a red light go off if it detects something suspicious.
The system is commonly used as sporting events or concerts according to Skertich.
Skertich says the school district was drawn to the system due to the technology in the system that makes it stand out more than a common metal detector.
"The technology allows someone who carrying a cellphone, watch or keys to walk through it while still being able to carry it cause those are acceptable items to come into the school," Skertich said, "That was one of the reasons why we were drawn to it."
However, the ability to detect 3-D printed weapons is still a question mark among the system. Skertich says he didn't want to give a definitive answer to that, but hoped that the system will eventually be able to detect items like those.
"We won't fully know until we get into that system," Skertich said, "I don't have that answer, but we have to hope that as the technology improves it will be there."
Skertich promises that the new system does not have facial detection or any other recognition software.
"It is simply a weapons screening tool," Skertich said, "It is no database for facial screening or anything of that nature."