POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County students start classes on Friday, and some will be heading to a new school. South Pointe Elementary in Winter Haven is opening its doors for the first time, as well as a new school in Haines City.

This year, some Polk County middle and high schools will be seeing changes to their security protocols. After receiving threats in different schools last year, the district decided to move forward with putting metal detectors on many of the campuses.

The detectors are portable walk-through devices that can both be used in the school lobbies and at sporting events.

This started last year when middle and high schools began conducting random searches of students for weapons or dangerous items.

The district says that plan worked, and they wanted to expand on it by adding scanners. Depending on the school, students could see hand-held metal detector wands or the walk-through devices.

In addition, there will be stricter penalties for students who make threats. All schools will have security cameras throughout their campuses. Every school will conduct safety drills to ensure that students and teachers know how to handle emergencies.

All schools will also have either a school resource officer or a guardian, as required by state law.

That’s something parents say helps put their minds at ease.

“I’ve been lucky in the schools that they’ve been in … I felt like it was Fort Knox for me to pick them up when they were sick, so I do feel they’re safe. So seeing the sheriff’s officers, Lakeland police officers and even the guardians,” said Lisa Gill, a grandparent.

The cost of these new metal detectors is about $850,000.