The board of directors of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 adopted Policy No. 226.1 Monday, which allows use of metal detectors at its school facilities.

In late 2014, the IU bought three metal detector wands, costing "between $200 and $300 apiece," Diane M. Niederriter, IU 29 executive director, said during the meeting.The policy is effective immediately, she said."Everyone may be subject to metal detection," according to the policy, which also allows for "random screenings."Other school districts in Schuylkill County with similar policies include North Schuylkill School District, according to the district's website,

www.northschuylkill.net.Schools in the region considered upgrading security following the fatal shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012."The board recognizes that the educational environment of the schools is an important factor in the student's ability to learn and a teacher to teach. Weapons and drugs in the schools, on school grounds and in the surrounding communities, are a danger to that environment and learning has suffered as a result. Through this policy, it is the hope and desire of the board to foster a proper education environment for all students and to help promote the safety and welfare of students, staff and visitors, by authorizing Security Operations to conduct metal detector screenings of students, staff and visitors," according to IU 29's new three-page policy."Security Operations" is staff that includes administrators, supervisors School Resources Officers who have been trained to use the equipment and follow the rules of the policy, according to Policy No. 226.1.Only school personnel, law enforcement officials or "other approved persons who have been trained in the use of metal detectors" will be allowed to use the detectors under the director of building principals or School Resources Officers, according to the policy."In conjunction with using the metal detectors, school personnel or law enforcement officials or other approved persons may inspect the contents of any backpack, bookbag, purse or parcel for the limited purpose of determining whether a weapon is concealed therein," according to the policy."If individuals being screened activate the detector and they refuse to reveal the metal object, the police shall be notified. Students are subject to disciplinary actions, including but not limited to suspensions and expulsions," according to the policy."If a weapon is discovered, the SRO shall be notified immediately, and the weapon shall be held by the school official who discovers it until the SRO or state police arrives at the scene," according to the policy.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC