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photo by: Joselyn King

Ohio County Board of Education members Anne Hercules, left, Molly Aderholt, and board president David Croft listen to remarks at Monday's meeting.

WHEELING — Two metal detectors will be purchased for Wheeling Park High School.

Ohio County Board of Education members voted unanimously to buy the safety technology for use at Wheeling Park High School. Because the monitors are mobile, they can also be taken and used at other schools when needed, Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones explained.

The metal detectors come at a cost of $48,438 and will be purchased through Lauttamus Communications.

“I think (the purchase of) two is the sweet spot,” Jones told board members. “If we like them, I guess we can always add next year.

“But two would give us two at Wheeling Park, and the ability if we wanted to move one to a middle school or an elementary school and still keep a set at Wheeling Park.”

Board president David Croft asked if the school district would still get the same discount if they purchased more in the future.

“I could ask, yeah,” Jones responded.

Board member Molly Aderholt asked if there were any grants available that would cover the cost of metal detectors for Ohio County Schools.

Business manager Steven Bieniek said Ohio County Schools could apply for reimbursement through the state, and perhaps get as much as 80% of their expenditure back.

Jones told the board he would order the metal detectors today, and that they would take about two to three weeks to arrive.

A set of mobile-type metal detectors has been on loan to Ohio County Schools from Lauttamus since October, giving officials time to see them in use.

One of the sets of monitors will be placed at the front entrance to the high school, and the other at the back to monitor late arrivals, Jones has explained. Each unit weighs about 15 pounds and can easily be transported in a car.

The board will next meet at 8 a.m. Dec. 23 at the board office, 2203 National Road, Wheeling.