Rock Bridge High School to test out weapons detection system at another entrance

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Rock Bridge High School will be testing out another weapons detection system at one of its entrances on Wednesday.

Principal Jaciob Sirna informed parents about the addition in an email to parents on Tuesday. It will be conducted at one lane of the north entrance on Wednesday.

 Columbia Public Schools spokesperson Michelle Baumstark told ABC 17 News in an email that the test is in preparation of the additional systems coming to the school this year, which was approved by the Board of Education at its Dec. 9 meeting. The system will cost the district $102,246.00 through the Safety and Security operating budget, previous reporting indicates.

The district approved to add three more systems at Rock Bridge and Hickman High School. Baumstark previously told ABC 17 News that the new weapons detection systems will be put at the north side entrance of Rock Bridge and the east entrance of Hickman to aid with traffic flow issues.

The district rolled out the Open Gate system at all three high schools earlier this year. Issues were reported with the speed of students being able to enter buildings. Baumstark said earlier this month that the district is not looking at adding more detection systems to Battle High School because it has not had the same traffic flow issues.

The district will eventually conduct a test at Hickman, Baumstark wrote on Tuesday.