Columbus County Sheriff and QR Solutions seek school board support to finish training school-based detection K-9

Major Nick Howe of the Columbus County Sheriff's Office asked the Columbus County Board of Education to partner in a cooperative investment to return a nationally trained school-based detection canine, Zena, to county schools. Howe said a local teacher initially purchased and partially funded the dog's training and that the remaining cost to finish detection training and a one-on-one handler certification course is $9,000, with the board split option described as $4,500 per partner district.

Howe told the board Zena is a 1-year-old black German shepherd in training with QR Solutions; trainers said Zena is being trained to detect marijuana, THC-infused products, nicotine and vape products, and firearms, and to operate safely in school settings. QR Solutions' representatives showed a short training demonstration (the "box game") and explained the exercise tests odor recognition and reliable indication behavior, with Zena sitting or lying by the correct box when she detects the target odor.

Trainers described operational details for a school deployment: Zena will be certified to work in classrooms, backpacks, lockers and common areas; a school resource officer will attend a four-week handler certification course; the canine and handler will be assigned to a school but may perform weekly rotational sweeps at other schools on a scheduled basis to ensure all buildings benefit. Board members asked whether the handler will be an existing SRO and how coverage will be arranged; QR Solutions and the sheriff's office said the handler will be an existing SRO who will remain assigned to a school except when conducting a scheduled sweep, at which time another officer will provide coverage for that officer's school.

Superintendent Beck thanked the sheriff's office and QR Solutions, called the proposal a proactive safety investment, and said because the requested district share was $4,500 he could approve that amount as superintendent. Board members voiced general support during discussion. No formal roll-call vote on funding appeared on the record; the presentation concluded with the board indicating support for the partnership and interest in moving forward with the training-completion contribution.

Next steps noted in the meeting: QR Solutions will complete the remaining training and handler certification, the sheriff's office will assume long-term canine costs (veterinary, housing, food, recertification), school placement will be determined by administrative need, and site-wide rotational sweeps will be scheduled to ensure equitable coverage across schools.