Students scurry through the morning rush as faculty attempt to keep up with the increasing number of people trying to get past the metal detectors without triggering them.
On Aug. 19, 2025, Texas High implemented changes in the school’s metal detector system in the mornings by tuning the sensitivity on the detectors to catch a wider range of metal objects. The metal detectors received these changes to ensure the safety and security of the students on campus.
“When I arrived at school, there were two really long lines,” senior Aaliyah Sewell said. “It was very annoying and kinda draining because they were searching through everyone’s bags, taking everything out and it was just a lot going on.”
Despite the additional security steps, teachers agree that this measure holds the potential to do a better job at keeping unnecessary items off campus.
“By turning up the sensitivity of these metal detectors, we’ll certainly find any [unwanted] or dangerous items that need to be confiscated,” AP science teacher Amy Baker said. “This will do a better job of it, even though it is slowing things down.”
Administrators voice the need for this precautionary enhancement to ensure the security and safety of students on campus, despite any inconveniences it presents.
“When we raise the sensitivity of the metal detectors, it does trigger the smallest item,” assistant principal Jo Dee Lott said. “This shows that we are taking safety seriously and that we are willing to be inconvenienced to make sure our students are safe.”
Students and staff around campus agree that the metal detectors’ process could be refined to expedite the morning entry process, thus preventing delays on arrival to classes. Baker compared the surge of security measures to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protocols in airports, alluding to the potential progress of the school’s security measures and how they may change over time, similar to how airport security evolved over time.
“Speaking from experience, I flew on an airplane before and after 9/11. So, before 9/11, there was very little security to get on an airplane. They didn’t search anything unless needed, so they’d X-ray your bags, and that was it,” Baker said. “But I remember after 9/11 when you had to take off your belt, shoes, and jacket for the TSA, and it was very aggravating, but as with most procedures, it got more better over time, and I think there’s probably more efficient ways to execute this process that we will eventually develop later on down the line.”
