J.P. Taravella High School Chosen for District’s Metal Detector Pilot

by News Staff April 8, 2024

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J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs. {Photo by Mark Burch}

J.P. Taravella High School is at the forefront of security enhancements for Broward County Public Schools after being selected as one of two schools in a metal detector pilot program.

This initiative, aimed at campus safety and ensuring a weapons-free environment, is set to start this summer.

According to BCPS, the selection of J.P. Taravella High School alongside Charles W. Flanagan High School underlines the district’s commitment to student safety and proactive measures to safeguard educational spaces.

The pilot’s success at those two schools will be instrumental in refining the operational aspects of the metal detectors’ deployment, setting a precedent for the subsequent rollout to eight additional schools in the 2024/25 academic year.

The decision to introduce walk-through metal detectors follows the recent endorsement by the Broward County School Board, which allocated $540,000 for the initial phase, which will cover ten schools.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Peter B. Licata has strongly supported this initiative, emphasizing safety as the district’s paramount concern.

“The integration of walk-through metal detectors is an important step forward for our District,” said Licata. Safety is our top priority, and we are doing everything we can to keep weapons off our campuses. This initiative adds another layer to the safety measures currently in place.”

The upcoming School Board workshop on April 23 will offer a platform for further discussions on the initiative, including insights into the eight schools slated for the next phase of the program’s launch in the 2024/25 school year.

BCPS aims to extend this safety measure to all remaining high schools by the 2025/26 academic year.

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