Wachter Middle School Principal Jim Potter says students are the eyes and ears of the school.

"They'll know about something going on before we will," he said.

So, in an effort to keep the school as safe as possible, Potter offers up some cash to any student who provides faculty with information about a weapon brought to school, or even if a student has talked about bringing a weapon to school.

The other two middle schools in Bismarck offer similar rewards, given on a case-by-case basis.

Potter said the program at Wachter has been in place for about four years and he's paid out reward money two or three times, all for information about knives, which brings a $75 reward. If information about firearms proves true, the student can receive $250, although that hasn't happened yet.

No money is offered for information about cigarettes, alcohol or drugs. Potter said he offers money for information about weapons because "there's clear and imminent danger."

The money comes from a student activity fund, which gets its money from profits from school vending machines. The fund also pays for things such as school assemblies.

Potter said reports from students about weapons in school doesn't happen often. And some have proved to be untrue.

"We keep everything confidential," he said.

Students are told about the program during student meetings at the beginning of the school year.

"We have 800-some students, so that's 1,600-some eyes and ears out there," Potter said. "We tell them 'you'll keep your school safe.' "

Horizon Middle School Principal Rudy Steidl said he offers a reward about six times a year for information regarding such things as vandalism and theft on school property. He said he's paid from $10 to $50, depending on the circumstances.

Steidl said it's worth paying a small sum to encourage students to keep their eyes and ears open in the school hallways.

"We ask our kids to do that … to help keep everyone safe," he said. "I always believed that someone at Columbine knew what was going on and didn't say anything."

Simle Middle School Principal Russ Riehl said he also offers a reward on a case-by-case basis. He said he's not in favor of a set chart designating certain infractions with a certain reward because then students may take advantage of the system.

"And I believe most kids (report infractions) because they want to do the right thing," he said.

The incentive program isn't used at either Bismarck High School or Century High School.

"We didn't think it would work effectively with senior high students," Bismarck High Principal Tom Hesford said.

Mandan Public Schools Superintendent Kent Hjelmstad said he's not aware of any such program in any of the Mandan schools. He said students at Mandan Junior High have been good in policing themselves.

"When we've had something like graffiti and it's reported, it's not that the student wants to tell on someone, but they don't want it happening in their junior high school," Hjelmstad said.