Liberty County board approves purchase of 20 weapons-detection units; clear-book-bag rule slated for later approval

The Liberty County Board of Education voted Thursday to purchase 20 portable weapons-detection units for the district’s middle and high schools and moved to return a proposed clear-book-bag requirement for formal approval at the next meeting.

Mr. Jackson, presenting the district’s two-phase safety plan, said the project would be funded primarily by a Georgia Department of Education safety/security grant. He listed the total equipment cost as $346,780 and said the district had received $344,626 from the state grant, with a small remaining local contribution described in the presentation as coming from “East Bloss.”

The board took the action after extensive questions about scope and operations. Mr. Jackson confirmed the initial purchase is for 20 units—enough to place at least one unit at every middle and high school—and said the units are portable, battery-powered (10–14 hours), and designed to allow quick entry without requiring students to remove phones or keys. He said staff and administrators, assisted by school resource officers (SROs) when available, would operate the units and that more detailed operational protocols and training would be provided to the board (some sensitive operational details, he said, would be discussed in executive session).

Board members pressed for specifics on who would be screened, staffing in morning arrival periods, what would happen if a detection occurred, and whether elementary schools could be included in the rollout. Mr. Jackson said not every entry point would be screened, that principals and trained staff would oversee daily operation and that SROs would assist when they are present. He said phase 1 focuses on middle and high schools to address what several board members described as an urgent need; staff will return with cost estimates and a recommended timeline if the board wants to accelerate or expand implementation to elementary schools.

A motion to amend the agenda and move the information item to an action item was made and approved by voice vote. The board then voted to approve the purchase of the 20 detectors; the chair declared the motion carried. The district said equipment delivery, if ordered after approval, would take about 3–6 weeks.

On phase 2, Mr. Jackson presented a proposed clear-book-bag requirement that would require fully transparent backpacks for all Liberty County middle and high school students beginning August 2026 and would apply at school athletic events. He described permitted exceptions—nontransparent lunch kits or purses no larger than 6×9×5 inches and instrument/athletic bags that would be stored on arrival—and said the student services office would assist families facing financial hardship. Several board members urged the district to allow time for families to obtain bags and to coordinate with community groups distributing free backpacks. The board agreed to bring the book-bag policy back for approval at the next board meeting so the public would have notice and families would have time to prepare.

The board’s action covers the equipment purchase for middle and high schools only; staff will report back with recommendations and cost estimates for any elementary rollout.

• Cost and funding: equipment total $346,780; Georgia DOE safety/security grant $344,626; local contribution referenced as East Bloss (amounts listed in the presentation).

• Motion and outcome: voice vote; chair declared the motion carried to purchase 20 detectors for middle and high schools. The agenda was amended to move the item to action before the vote.

• Next steps: staff to provide detailed training plans, operational protocols (some in executive session), and a recommendation for elementary schools at the next meeting.