Gilbert Public Schools is moving forward with plans to install weapons detection systems across its campuses in an effort to enhance student and staff safety.
The district’s governing board unanimously approved the measure during its March 25 meeting, despite some concerns raised by board members over public perception from bringing in metal detectors.
The district will implement the OpenGate weapons detection system, a high-tech solution designed to identify potential threats without requiring invasive searches. The system uses advanced sensors to scan individuals as they pass through designated entry points, detecting concealed weapons.
Safety and Security Director Allen Cain explained that the system looks for high concentrations of metal that meet international standards for weapons.
The district showed the governing board a video about how the system works, depicting mostly unobtrusive walk-thoughs, though Cain acknowledged school entry may be slow at first because of the learning curve in use.
The system will cost the district approximately $573,362. This includes purchasing and installing the units, as well as maintenance and staff training. It also will require $17,045 annually for NetID program management.
The funding will come from the district's safety and security budget, with no need for a separate bond or tax increase, according to Superintendent Shane McCord.
GPS plans to introduce the detection systems in phases. The district plans to start at its smallest campuses, Gilbert Classical Academy and alternative school Canyon Valley, to work out kinks.
From there, it will roll out across the district with a goal of finishing before the end of the school year, though McCord said he could not guarantee that would be accomplished in the short time frame.
The district anticipates minimal disruption during the rollout, as the system is designed to blend into normal entry procedures. Students hand off their Chromebooks, which have hinges that set off the detectors, to a person stationed at the OpenGate pillars and receive it back from the person as soon as they walk through.
Cain said he believes it will add a layer of security that will act as a deterrent.
McCord indicated that he would not have favored taking such a step a few years ago but he has come to view it as an obligation to provide a safe environment at the schools.
“I think that as a school system, we need to do all that can within our means to make sure our students have a safe place to learn, our staff has a safe place to work, and our communities feel prideful in sending their kids to our schools knowing that their safety is our No. 1 priority,” he said.
Board President Chad Thompson said he worried about the public perception with parents making choices about where to send their kids.
“Is this going to give them one more reason to not want to come back or come to Gilbert Public Schools because we have metal detectors and the charter school down the street doesn't have metal detectors?” he said. “And the perception is that we don't need metal detectors because we're just nothing but rainbows and butterflies over here at this school. And this government funded public school is a place where bad things happen.”
Thompson said how the system is rolled out will be crucial in that perception.
“My hope is that by implementing these security measures, it's not seen as an indictment of how dangerous our campuses are, but rather a reassurance and a demonstration of our dedication to keeping our students and staff safe,” he said.
We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on X.
Meet Tom Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.
Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.
Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism.
Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.
Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).
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