The kind of security found in airports, laboratories and other high-risk areas could soon be installed at a Fort Lauderdale school and might be considered at other Broward public schools.

Construction officials are meeting Wednesday with the security firm ADT about a system that would scan a student's palm or thumb to let them into the school and some classrooms.

The "biometric security" system could be installed as part of a $9 million tear-down and rebuilding project at Pine Ridge Alternative Center.

"We'll see how this goes," said Deputy Superintendent Mike Garretson, who oversees construction. "We could expand this to other alternative schools -- or even other new schools we are building."

It's unclear whether biometrics could ever be used at a large high school, but the school district could evaluate the technology at a small school such as Pine Ridge.

Pine Ridge Principal John Kelly wants to see the thumbprint technology used on school buses as well.

That way, the school would know when -- and if -- a child got on the school bus and when they were dropped off at home.