Hearne ISD introduces metal detectors, mesh backpacks to improve school safety

HEARNE, Texas (KBTX) – In a letter sent to families in Hearne ISD, the school district announced the implementation of metal detectors and mesh backpacks as part of their efforts to improve safety on campus.

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Every morning, students at Hearne Junior High and Hearne High School line up to walk through metal detectors placed at every entrance. At the start of the spring semester, each student received a mesh backpack as another precaution.

“Safety is our top priority. Period,” Hearne ISD Superintendent Dr. Adrain Johnson said.

These measures are part of the district’s efforts to meet the school safety requirements passed by the state legislature in House Bill 3, which aims to prevent gun violence in schools.

“None of those schools where the tragedy happened expected to be on the news. We’re going to do everything possible to make sure we are never on the news,” Hearne ISD Executive Director of Operations and Safety Jay Davis said.

According to Davis, students are recognizing the importance of these measures, and are taking steps of their own to aid in the district’s work.

“They’ve been very cooperative with the way they’ve adjusted the things they wear, the guys with the great big belt buckles,” he remarked, “I didn’t see any great big belt buckles today.”

The addition of the metal detectors and mesh backpacks has elicited mixed reactions from district families, Dr. Johnson said.

“Anytime you do something new and different it’s going to create different reactions. But the message we’ve been giving to our parents is that we are interested in being proactive. Our goal is to be proactive, not reactive,” he said.

But behind the scenes, the lack of funding from the state legislature remains a concern. Davis said the district has spent well over $300,000 to bring their schools into compliance with House Bill 3.

School districts in Texas, according to Dr, Johnson, haven’t received a cost of living adjustment to state funding in around five years.

“Let’s give us the funding to make sure our schools are safer than the way they were before all the instances that we’ve seen happen,” he said.

Over time, Hearne ISD has made various changes to their schools, such as improved locks on doors, upgraded video cameras, and coated windows.

Dr. Johnson said those changes must be made regardless of cost.

“If it’s going to force us to make cuts, we have to make the tough cuts. But some things will remain a priority and safety is one of those things that will remain a priority,” the superintendent said.

However, Davis said these safety measures have come with a bonus by unintentionally addressing another issue Hearne ISD – and other schools across the state – face.

“We explained to them that vapes have metal in them. So if you have a vape it’ll pick it up. So far they’ve not brought them on campus because we haven’t detected anything,” Davis added.