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Board reviews Open Gate weapons‑detection proposal; $145,464.12 in school‑safety grant funds available, action planned for June
Summary
Administrators presented a proposal to purchase seven additional Open Gate walk‑through weapons‑detection systems for Hoke County Schools at a cost of $145,464.12 using school‑safety grant funds; the board was told the grant funds must be spent by June 30 and that the item will be on a future action agenda.
District staff presented a proposal on May 13 to buy seven additional Open Gate walk‑through weapons‑detection systems for school campuses and told the board the systems would be paid from a 2024–25 school‑safety grant that must be spent by June 30.
The presenter described the Open Gate system as a two‑pillar, walk‑through detection system that uses sensors and artificial intelligence to distinguish weapons from personal items and offers a mobile app for administrators to set detection sensitivity. Staff said the district previously requested funds to purchase three systems for Hoke County High School in March; the current request is to purchase seven additional systems — one at each middle school, one at Carrington Alternative School, and three more at Hoke County High School because of that campus' size and population.
Cost and timing: staff said the seven systems will cost $145,464.12 and that the district was notified the grant must be spent by June 30. The presenter also confirmed the systems come with batteries and base plates but do not include a separate identification camera. Board discussion noted that searching for very small items (for example, to detect vapes) can increase screening time and that administrators can set the detection sensitivity for each event.
Board next steps: the item was presented as information; staff indicated it can be placed on the June action agenda to meet the grant spending deadline. A board member asked whether the district will meet the June deadline; staff said there is still time to place the order if the board adds the item to the June agenda.
Ending: no action was taken on May 13; board members indicated they expect the item to return for formal approval in June so staff can meet grant deadlines.
