The Gloucester School Board tackled a number of items at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday in the T.C. Walker Education Center Auditorium, including the potential appropriation of funds for a weapons detection system.
Justin Bragg, president of Mid-Atlantic Technology Services, explained the benefits of using the Evolv high-speed weapons detection system, compared to regular metal detectors. According to Bragg, metal detectors are slow and detect all metal objects on a person. Evolv allows for rapid screening and only alerts to weapons.
“With the video cameras that are attached to the device, it also allows you to see where on that person you need to check” for a weapon, Bragg said. It will even detect if a weapon is in a person’s bag or backpack.
Bragg said that the average lifespan of the units are 10-15 years with software updates available periodically. All parts on the system are replaceable.
“As we’re building this year’s budget and looking at funds, the safety and security of our students and staff is paramount,” said school board chair Troy Andersen.
Gloucester County Public Schools Director of Operations Bryan Hartley also presented information on a door monitoring system that would alert staff to an exterior building door opening that should not be opened.
The board voted unanimously to instruct Dr. Walter Clemons, Schools Superintendent, to continue conversations with the county administrator to come up with an initial quote, up to $1.8 million, for door monitoring and concealed weapons detection systems across all schools.
Other matters
The school board adopted the calendar for the 2023-2024 school year, which would include an end date of June 6, with a vote of 4-1-1. The other option would have had an end date of June 13.
Both calendar options received a split vote in a divisionwide survey sent to school employees.
GCPS Construction Manager Charles Records gave the board a capital improvement update. The Peasley Middle School water source heat pump project is projected for completion this summer, and subgrade preparation for fuel tank slabs has begun at the transportation facility with completion slated for this August.
For the Gloucester High School renovation project, demolition within the building is ongoing; the new chorus room addition has been added to the first phase of the project; the new entrance, security vestibule, administrative/guidance offices and clinic are expected to be finished over the summer; and phase two of the project is set to begin in June.
The board also unanimously voted to recognize April as the Month of the Military Child at GCPS.