School board approves $334,708.44 contract authorization for four advanced weapons-screening systems
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Summary
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on Jan. 30 authorized negotiations for a contract with Alliance Technology Group to install four advanced weapons‑screening systems, not to exceed $334,708.44 over four years, and directed staff to improve screening processes and reporting.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board voted Jan. 30 to authorize the superintendent and general counsel to negotiate a contract with Alliance Technology Group for advanced weapons-screening systems (described by the vendor as weapon/metal-screening devices) at four high schools, in an amount not to exceed $334,708.44 over four years.
The superintendent said the district identified an “urgent need” for advanced detectors at several high schools and that the devices chosen are intended to reduce false alarms, speed entry and provide data to guide staffing and security decisions. The superintendent and central-office security staff named Scotlandville High, Belaire High, West (Willoughton) High and McKinley High as the initial deployment sites.
Public commenters and several board members questioned current deployment and use of existing metal detectors, arguing many are unplugged during the school day or not used for late arrivals, after-school events or game days. One commenter said detectors “are not being used effectively” and asked for transparency after incidents where weapons bypassed campus screening.
Board member Delaney and others urged a change in process—ensuring detectors are active throughout the day, staffing entry points, and limiting open-campus access—rather than relying only on new equipment. Superintendent Cole acknowledged uneven implementation across schools and said the expectation is that every visitor should be screened and that central-office teams will be deployed to support campus implementation and accountability.
Vendor representatives from Alliance Technology Group and Evolve explained the technology differs from traditional metal detectors: the systems identify weapon characteristics to reduce benign-item alarms, produce alerts that show the likely location of a threat, and provide monitoring dashboards and data analytics to guide staffing. The vendor said site-by-site training and on-site support will be provided during initial operations.
Superintendent Cole said the district has found 11 weapons on campuses this school year (five firearms brought on campus by students, five found after school in parking lots, and one BB gun) and described recent incidents where community tips led staff to intercept two people and recover weapons in a vehicle. Cole said central-office staff would be sent to target schools each morning “until further notice” to help ensure consistent screening protocols.
Board members discussed alternative, lower-cost measures—alarms on exit doors, better door-locking hardware and human staffing at entry points—and asked staff to assess needed resources districtwide. The superintendent agreed to evaluate the four initially targeted high schools and report back; Operations leadership said an evaluation of the four schools’ needs can be completed in one week, with an expanded sample (including high‑risk middle schools) in about two weeks.
The board moved to accept the superintendent’s recommendation; the motion carried.
