WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - It's an issue people are talking about all around town – whether Wichita Public Schools should put weapon detectors in high schools. And the people it affects the most have mixed feelings about it.

"It would make me feel safer, but like, as of me, I would not do that at school. So, it would be kind of an inconvenience for me, but it would make me feel safer," said North High freshman Evan Larson.

"For my opinion, I feel like I'm in prison with the metal detectors... I feel like I'm in prison, just like in the movies," said junior Jose Cordero.

But like it or not, these "automated screening devices" are about to be a reality after the BOE passed the proposal 7 to 0.

"It's very exciting. I think it's good. We've put one more piece of equipment into our arsenal," said BOE President Stan Reeser.

This comes on the heels of five different cases where guns were found at Wichita high schools in the last month. But WPS Security Director Terri Moses says this has been in the works for a year.

And these are no ordinary metal detectors.

 "It's technology that focuses on metal, and the way that metal is formed. And that's what allows it to check for firearms of all sizes, down to subcompact, to a large weapon, as well as explosive devices," said Moses. 

This is what they look like. Moses says they're so advanced that people won't need to empty pockets, and workers won't even need to search bags.

Moses says the school will order the units as soon as possible, but with a price tag of $1.5M, people like Cordero and sophomore Gavin Denney say they think the BOE could have spent it on more important things.

"A lot of money. Could buy a lot of things. A lot of things," said Denney.

"Put that money into the school. No metal detectors," said Cordero.

Moses says that because of the supply chain and long lead times right now, she's not sure exactly when the devices will get here, but it's a process she says will start immediately.