Local School to Use Metal Detectors

MARSHALL — Marshall ISD will implement random use of metal detectors at the junior high school after students were caught with pocket knives on campus during school hours earlier this month. Three students were caught with knives on March 2, the day after a fight broke out between eight junior high students, said Interim Superintendent Brian Nichols. According to the Longview News-Journal, as a result, students were not allowed to bring backpacks to school this past week. The handheld metal detectors will be used to lessen the chance of a weapon being brought on the campus again, he said.

Along with the metal detectors, junior high administrators have cracked down on campus security, including changing the location where students are allowed to congregate in the mornings before the school bell rings. Nichols re-iterated the weapons found were pocket knives, which are considered prohibited weapons.