As part of its ongoing commitment to student and staff safety, Huntsville City Schools (HCS) is introducing new weapon detection systems across all middle and junior high schools. These advanced systems, known as Opengate, will screen students daily as they enter school buildings.
The HCS Security team will be installing these systems over the next several weeks. These systems are similar to Evolv, which are already in use at the district's high schools, and comparable to screening systems commonly seen at major sporting events and concerts.
"The goal of the new systems is to continue to promote campus safety while maintaining a smooth, efficient entry process for students," said Dr. Clarence Sutton, HCS Superintendent. "Our team has worked diligently over the past several months to configure and hire staffing for Opengate, and these new systems will be another important factor in our campus security protocols."
The Opengate systems can also be deployed at other events at schools, such as athletic games and extracurricular activities.
District leaders ask for the support and understanding of students and families as these systems are rolled out. While there may be minor delays during the initial implementation as everyone becomes accustomed to the new systems, these measures will help keep students and staff members safe.