Detection dogs have their day in Highland Park, Deerfield high schools

Following up on a summer pilot, Township High School District 113 gained board approval to add firearm- and explosive-detecting K9 teams for its two high schools.

The board of education OK’d on Sept. 10 a one-year contract with 3DK9 Partners that expires on June 30, 2025, when another one-year term will be considered, according to the approved agreement.

The district brought in the canine team for a week in July as a trial run. District officials heard a review of the “successful” pilot on Aug. 6, Superintendent Dr. Chala Holland said in an email to parents this week.

With the board approval, the canine unit will begin to prepare for its assignment within the district. Officials said that process will take multiple months, and the district expects the unit to begin along with the second semester in January 2025.

Trained to detect firearms and explosives, the dog works with a handler and signals when it detects a “suspicious odor.” The dog, which will be a Labrador mix, is also specifically trained to work near students, does not bark and “has a calm demeanor,” the district says. While on duty, the dog will not interact with people other than its handler. When off-duty, the dog may interact with people on a limited basis as deemed appropriate by its handler.

According to the contract, each dog must have detection training to search large crowds and venues and have proper certification.

The cost of the program will be $48.50 per hour for full-time work and $62.50 per hour for part-time, the contract says. The contract demands two canine-detection teams in the district every school day, including summer school.

Responsibilities of the canine team include coverage of student entryways, locker rooms and parking lots, among other spaces, and the submittal of post-sweep reports.

The placement of the canine unit will be fluid, and for security purposes, will not be revealed by the district, the district previously told The Record.

The new program is an addition to the district’s multi-layer security plan, which has grown significantly in the past two years, following the July 4 shooting in Highland Park.

Additionally, a gun brought to Highland Park High School in April 2023 sparked public outcry and board action to approve security improvements districtwide prior to the 2023-’24 school year. Those improvements included the addition of weapons detectors, card readers at entrances, security film on exterior glass, personnel additions (director of security), improved security cameras and more.

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