MOULTRIE – In support of enhancing student safety and security, the Colquitt County Board of Education has approved the implementation of the state-of-the-art OPENGATE Weapons Detection System.

It will be installed at the middle school, junior high and high school sometime in early 2025, the school system said in a press release Tuesday.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp enacted a school safety grant program in the state’s FY2025 budget. This program aims to allocate essential funding annually to school districts to enhance the safety and security of our students and communities. The school safety grant program funds will be used to purchase the OPENGATE Weapons Detection System.

OPENGATE’s innovative technology is designed to identify potential threats, including firearms and other weapons, while maintaining an uninterrupted flow of students and staff as they enter school buildings. By adopting this state-of-the-art security solution, the district will foster a more secure learning environment, the press release said.

“The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority,” said Dan Chappuis, Colquitt County School District superintendent. “We are confident that implementing OPENGATE’s Weapons Detection System will significantly enhance our existing security measures and provide an essential layer of protection for our school community.”

Additional information will be provided over the next several months to students, staff, families, and the community about the implementation of these devices and the procedures for their use, the school system said. For information on other District Safety Initiatives, please visit https://www.colquitt.k12.ga.us/departments/school-safety/index.