As we enter the final month of the calendar year and the fall semester of public schools begins winding down, students and parents of Franklin’s schools will be in for a change sooner than they think.

The city received a grant recently that is going to fund installation metal detectors and other security devices that are expected to be in place early in 2008.

The school board is debating and forming its policy regarding use of the devices and reaction to any violations.

Legally and ethically, the topic is a sheet of thin ice.

First, it should be pointed out that the number of reported weapons violations in the three schools of Franklin’s school system is quite low.

There is no widespread panic among the community to “clean up” school grounds. That simply isn’t the case.

But the day is probably coming when one student will bring a knife to school, and another will bring a handgun, and so on.

After all, schools do mirror society, and the adults of the City of Franklin are grappling with ways to make their town safer.

And lest anyone believe only the students will be subjected to the search, it should be noted that the devices will be also be used during school-related activities, including sporting events.

The school board will discuss issues such as “pat-downs” and security breaches in the next few weeks, but high-tech security measures are headed our way.