Kenosha School Board Eyes $475K Weapon Detectors for High Schools After Gun Scares

KENOSHA, Wis. (WRJN) – The Kenosha Unified School Board is set to consider a plan Tuesday to install weapon detectors at its high schools. Superintendent Jeff Weiss wants to tap $475,000 from reserve funds to buy the systems.

The push comes amid growing worries over school safety. This month, students at Bradford brought a loaded gun one day and firearm magazines plus ammo the next. Those scares follow a 16-year-old student’s fatal shooting off-campus earlier this month. Weiss says the detectors add another layer of protection, like securing doors.

District leaders are looking at getting a system called CEIA OpenGate. They have a walk-through screener that is portable, and said to be cheaper than bulkier models. The machines can screen up to 300 people every 15 minutes per lane.

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The proposal calls for 18 units across six high schools: four at Bradford and Tremper, five at Indian Trail, two each at Lakeview Technology Academy and Harborside Academy/Reuther Central, and one at Hillcrest. The district would also acquire 15 handheld wands for spot checks.

​Also on the agenda, discussion about a new policy that would allow searches and random screenings on reasonable suspicion. It covers students’ bags, lockers, even vehicles, but bans strip searches. Parents get annual notice, and kids can ask for same-gender staff. The safety committee approved it last week, calling it a quick fix to protect everyone.

The meeting starts at 7pm tomorrow in the John J. Hosmanek Educational Support Center on 52n Street. The meeting will also stream on Youtube.