Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Godofredo A. Vásquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Courtesy Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer

By the end of this school year, students at about 20 Houston ISD campuses could pass through metal detectors under a plan receiving strong consideration from district officials, Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said Thursday.

In her first extended comments about school security since the on-campus shooting death of a Bellaire High School student last week, Lathan said her administration is “heavily looking” at installing metal detectors in all 105 district middle and high schools. HISD officials have received metal detector price quotes and reviewed discipline data to determine which campuses would receive the first batch of machines, which could be installed within two to three months of placing an order, Lathan said.

“We’ve already started that process,” Lathan said Thursday following a meeting with students at Bellaire. “We know projected numbers for what we would need as it relates to metal detectors.”

Lathan said district administrators have not definitively decided to employ metal detectors, calling it “kind of 50-50” amid ongoing discussions about security. The introduction of metal detectors would require approval from HISD trustees, some of whom have expressed skepticism about the devices.

Under preliminary proposals, each campus would receive two to four metal detectors. HISD Interim Police Chief Paul Cordova said each machine would cost $5,000 to $6,000, putting the total price tag for equipping all middle and high schools above $1 million. The district could have to hire additional staff to operate the devices, Lathan said.

HISD is expected to receive nearly $2 million in additional state funding this fiscal year for school security, which Texas lawmakers allocated following the May 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School that left 10 people dead. District officials could use that money to pay for metal detectors in addition to or instead of other safety upgrades.

The prospect of metal detectors and other security changes in the state’s largest school district follows the death of Cesar Cortes, 19, who was fatally shot Jan. 14 by another student on school grounds. A 16-year-old boy, who is charged as a juvenile with manslaughter, appears to have fired the weapon accidentally, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said.

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HISD does not regularly employ metal detectors or require clear backpacks at its campuses. Aldine and Spring ISDs, the region’s fifth- and 12th-largest districts, respectively, have employed metal detectors for several years. The metro area’s second-largest district, Cy-Fair ISD, implemented a clear backpack mandate after the Santa Fe shooting. HISD did not implement significant security changes following the Santa Fe killings.

The prospect of metal detectors has drawn support from some who argue the devices will reduce weapons possession on campuses, as well as criticism from others who fear the logistical challenges and the message it would send to students.

“I definitely see both sides of the argument for metal detectors,” said Ernesto Rodriguez, a junior at Bellaire. “But, honestly, if it would make the school safer, then it would be the right direction.”

During the last five years, HISD has reported an average of 58 disciplinary actions a year against students for possessing or using weapons on campus. Nearly all occurred at the district’s middle and high schools, as well as its alternative education facilities.

Kaelynn Coleman, a junior at Bellaire, said three recent incidents of weapons discovered on campus prior to last week’s shooting illustrate the need for improved security. She said she supports the addition of metal detectors, but opposes a clear backpack mandate.

“I don’t feel like that would be super effective, and it invades people’s privacy,” Coleman said. “There are plenty of people who wear stuff on their bodies and in baggy clothes.”

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Lathan’s comments Thursday came after a meeting with a small group of Bellaire student leaders to hear their concerns about school safety and suggestions for improving security. Lathan also plans to meet with student representatives from all 45 district high schools and convene community leaders in the coming weeks. An online survey seeking feedback on security measures is expected to go live in the next several days.

“To our parents, you have every right to be upset,” Lathan said. “You have every right to be concerned. I’m upset.”

HISD Trustee Wanda Adams said district officials would need to gather more feedback from campus staff and community members before moving forward with significant security changes. Adams said the cost of metal detectors and concerns about their effectiveness could dissuade her from supporting the addition.

“There are just a lot of questions that have to be addressed and answered before I feel comfortable creating policies around this,” Adams said.

District officials identified the roughly 20 campuses under consideration for the first round of metal detectors by reviewing the number and severity of incidents involving weapons and contraband. Lathan declined to name the 20 schools, saying administrators first would need to consult with campus staff and develop communication plans.

jacob.carpenter@chron.com