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Hoke County Schools reviews OpenGate weapons-detection system; no purchase vote recorded
Summary
District staff demonstrated the OpenGate walkthrough weapons-detection system and proposed buying three units for Hoke County High School using carryover funds from the Center for Safer Schools grant; the board asked for technical and warranty details but did not vote during the meeting.
Hoke County Schools staff presented the OpenGate walkthrough weapons-detection system to the Hoke County Board of Education during its March 11, 2025, meeting, and proposed purchasing three units for the high school campus using carryover funds from the Center for Safer Schools grant.
A district staff member described OpenGate as a two-pillar, mobile detection system that uses sensors and machine learning to distinguish weapons from personal items and that “does not require individuals to remove their bags or personal items,” allowing faster throughput for events such as athletics or graduations. The presenter said one system costs about $19,000 and that three systems, including calibration, training, batteries, base plates and shipping, would total $61,715. Staff recommended deploying the systems at Hoke County High School, which the presenter said serves roughly 1,900 students.
The presentation noted the system’s portability (each pillar weighs about 25 pounds), battery or outlet operation, and an accompanying mobile app to set detection parameters. A demonstration of the system at the high school on Jan. 9 was led by Bruce Hoffman, identified as the company’s national channel manager; attendees included two custodians, three school resource officers, and district staff, who reported positive feedback.
Board members asked for additional technical information and assurances before any purchase. Questions during the meeting included device durability and how the system would hold up to repeated relocation for events, whether the system emits radiation, the minimum pillar separation (described in the presentation as roughly 36–40 inches), and how quickly it can reset between individuals. A district staff member said staff would obtain details on radiation levels, warranty terms and exact throughput timings from the vendor and share those with the board.
The presenter stated the recommended funding source would be carryover money from a previously awarded Center for Safer Schools safe-schools grant; no motion or vote to purchase OpenGate systems appears in the March 11 transcript.
Next steps recorded in the meeting were staff follow-up to provide vendor warranty and technical details to the board for future consideration.
