SALEM, Ore. — The Salem-Keizer Public Schools invited students and their families to test out metal detectors Friday at Adams Stephens Middle School.
Superintendent Andrea Castaneda said they'd been considering the move since last fall, noting an increase in gun violence in the area, including among young people.
"Firearm related incidents are increasing across the whole city," said Castaneda."They are increasing across age groups, and this isn't something catching us off guard."
And when South Salem student Jose Vasquez-Valenzuela was shot and killed earlier this month near the school, Castaneda said the district wanted to act sooner.
Vendors said the new-generation metal detectors allow students to quickly pass through without taking out their phone, keys or any other metals.
"It also allows the people operating the system to focus on smiling and greeting people, not worrying about having to frisk and scan every bag," said Jason Eatmon from ICU Technologies.
At the event, families were given a QR code to provide feedback.
Castaneda said the school district needs to cut $30 million from their budget next year. If the district moves ahead with the weapon detectors, they will cost around $800,000, coming from a restricted fund that can't be used for staffing.
"We will need to think about how we can use our staff differently and make sure that if we move forward with a decision like this, it's staffed, so it can be both effective and also welcoming," Castaneda said.
Details regarding implementation and timing have not yet been made. The district said they will review that before making the next move.