SAXONBURG — Bag checks and metal detection, but not invasive searches, are coming to South Butler schools this year.

Administrators outlined how the South Butler County School District will add metal detectors to its buildings during a planning meeting Wednesday evening. The school board expects to vote on policies and procedures next week.

Superintendent David Foley said the machines will greet students at entrances to the high school, middle school and secondary school gym.

“So much of it is going to be getting students adjusted to how they get in, what they're supposed to pull out of their bags,” Foley said. “They just may take some time.”

The decision to implement the machines was made in the spring, but specifics just now are being decided. The machines will cost about $32,000, Foley said.

Pat Sarnese, director of school police and transportation, explained the planned timeline.

The first week of classes will have school assemblies to address the detectors and how they will work. During the second week, some students will be checked each day. By the third week, everyone will be checked.

Six adults will staff each entrance at the start of each school day. That includes one school police officer, with secretaries and paraprofessionals making up the rest.

If someone persistently sets off a detector, the team will use a wand to further check.

If that still indicates something metal that can't be identified, the student's parents will be called.

The district won't physically search any students, Foley said.

Ticket prices

Athletics enthusiasts may be saving a few bucks.

A planned rule change will lower the price of athletic tickets in the case of junior varsity cancellations.

If a JV game preceding a regular varsity game is canceled, an event that normally would cost adults $5 and students $2 would then cost adults just $3 and students $1.

“We're just proposing that as a way to encourage people to come to our events and not be gouged at the gates,” Foley said.