Board approves motion to release bids for security cameras; gun-detection add-ons to be researched separately

The Washington County Board of Education moved to release bids for security cameras and access controls for planned security vestibules and discussed whether to include gun-detection software in the solicitation.

"I think that we need to look at getting some kind of gun detecting software," Mister Walters said during questions about the scope of the system. Staff responded that gun-detection capabilities are typically a separate add-on service or third-party layer and are not usually bundled into core camera/access-control solicitations. Staff also said some vendors (Avigilon was referenced) may offer monitoring or add-on services, while certain metal-detection or weapon-detection products would be additional purchases.

One staff speaker described Avigilon's potential response as offering a costly metal-detection option (the transcript records a figure of "$40,000" in that exchange) and cautioned that some gun-detection technologies still produce false positives and require careful evaluation. Board members debated whether to defer the bids to gather more information; staff and the administration said the add-on would likely be separate and that they would research costs and options for supplemental gun-detection or metal-detection systems.

An unidentified board member moved to release bids for the cameras and access controls; a second was recorded. The motion to release bids is recorded in the transcript but the transcript does not include a roll-call or final vote result for that motion.

Staff said they will proceed with the bidding for surveillance equipment for the vestibules and will return with information on add-on gun-detection options and costs.