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Uvalde CISD leaders explain safety measures; board does not adopt metal detectors and will consider AI camera detection
Summary
Superintendent Colas outlined the district's layered safety strategy and explained why metal detectors are not being used. The district reported 505 cameras, Syntegix staff badges, monthly drills, grant-funded counselors and is exploring Omni Alert, an AI firearm-detection system that would integrate with the camera network.
Superintendent Colas presented a detailed summary of Uvalde CISD's safety and security practices, telling trustees and the public the district uses layered measures—relationship-building, mental health supports, controlled access, security personnel, 505 cameras, monthly drills, staff Syntegix panic badges and community volunteer training—rather than adopting metal detectors.
Colas said the district has four grant-funded mental health counselors on campuses and a Hazel Health telehealth platform for students and staff. She described visitor management systems that require ID scans, perimeter fencing and gates with monitored entrances. Every staff member carries a Syntegix badge that can be pressed repeatedly to trigger lockdown protocols and alerts district administration and officers.
Why metal detectors were rejected: Colas explained several reasons the district has not implemented metal detectors, as discussed with the School Safety and Security Committee: limited effectiveness unless every person is scanned 24/7; high operating costs including personnel (recommended three staff at each checkpoint, one armed officer); delays and crowding (estimated 1.5 hours to screen 1,500 people); workarounds (alternate entrances, nonmetallic weapons); and reduced utility when gates must remain open for community access (for example, evening playgrounds and athletic teams). The committee—composed of local, state and federal law enforcement, parents, teachers and trustees—overwhelmingly recommended against metal detectors because of the district’s daily operations and facility usage.
Omni Alert and next steps: Colas said the district met with Omni Alert, which offers AI detection that scans camera feeds for visible firearms and notifies monitors and first responders within seconds. The district has two camera-monitoring stations and would rely on human verification before lockdowns. Omni Alert is being considered for grant funding through a community safety grant the superintendent said the district expects to pursue this fall; staff said they are also completing Tier 1 grant requirements.
Training and process: Colas described monthly drills and debriefs on every campus, site-level safety-point-of-contact meetings that involve maintenance and fire-system staff, and a district safety committee that meets three to four times a year. She emphasized that system maintenance (door repairs, badge-health checks) is logged and tracked and that staff monitor badge health so lost badges are detected quickly.
What was not decided: No formal board action was taken to adopt metal detectors; the board received the report and directed staff to continue evaluating options and grant opportunities, including Omni Alert.
