CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A north suburban school district has decided to buy new metal detectors that also help screen for COVID by taking people’s temperatures.
The Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Board of Education unanimously approved spending nearly $100,000 for 11 new, specialized metal detectors and 17 thermometers.
The new equipment be installed at the district’s two high school campuses and the Alternative/Optional Education Center.
Along with taking temperatures during the COVID-19 screening entry procedure, the equipment will speed entry into buildings for students, staff and guests. Prior to shifting to remote learning, district officials said students came into the building through one entrance; now there will be two or three if needed to speed the COVID screening process.
"This measure with the temperature detection software of these metal detectors is in an effort to help streamline the entry process at the high school campuses, both campuses as well as AOEC," said Chief Operations Officer LeBaron Moten.
Officials said most of the current metal detectors are more than 14 years old and cannot be retrofitted to take temperatures.
"Our other machines are too outdated to be able to do the system we’re going to be able to need to get these students through the door in a fast amount of time and yet take their temperature and also be a metal detector," said William Heelan, an education safety specialist with the district.
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Waukegan District 60 students are not yet scheduled to return for in-person learning. The earliest that would take place is March 1.
Though the board members voted unanimously for the proposal, because of health concerns related to COVID-19, several said they look forward to the day the equipment will no longer be necessary.
Board President Brandon Ewing said he looks forward to a time no metal detectors are needed at the high schools. He wants students walking into the buildings to receive a welcome which does not immediately cast suspicion, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“We want to see restorative justice practiced in the community,” Ewing said after the meeting. “We don’t want to presume a student is going to do something wrong and require discipline. If a student is late, we meet out progressive discipline. We want to actually repair what harm is done.”
Moten said for now, the metal detectors upgraded with thermometers will help keep the buildings safe from the virus. How long they may be part of the culture beyond that is uncertain.
“Do we hope this can be unnecessary one day, yes,” Moten said. “We want a safe environment for everyone.”