Weapons Detection Systems Headed to Nashville Middle Schools

Student going through an Evolv detection system (Photo by Evolv)

The Metro Nashville Board of Education voted this week to approve a pilot program to expand existing weapons detection systems into middle schools.

Board members initially approved the installation of Evolv detection systems in all high schools in February, following a shooting at Antioch High School that claimed the lives of two students, including the gunman, 17-year-old Solomon Henderson. This week’s vote expands the district’s contract with System Integrations to include middle schools.

A news release sent to the Tennessee Firefly said installation of security equipment in middle schools will begin following the district’s fall break, with an anticipated pace of two schools a week. The pilot program will test the use of these systems to “evaluate their effectiveness and impact” before any long-term commitments are made, according to the release.

“School safety is our top priority, and this proposed expansion of Evolv into middle schools builds on the success we’ve seen in high schools across the district,” said Dr. Adrienne Battle, Director of Schools. “This technology has allowed us to strengthen security while maintaining a smooth, welcoming experience for students each morning. We have already engaged a variety of stakeholder groups in this conversation and look forward to additional engagement in the weeks ahead. We are grateful for the support of the Board and state partners in helping us evaluate this additional layer of protection.”

Security Cost will be Ongoing

The district says the pilot program will cost $1.2 million to start up and will incur an annual expense of $1 million. Funding for the first year of operation will come from the Tennessee School Safety Grant.

The district is already paying $1.2 million each year for the high school weapons detection program.

Metro Nashville Public Schools says it plans to notify individual school communities the week prior to their school’s activation of the system.

Smart Technology in Use

Evolv uses smart technology that provides data and analysis as students are walking through a dual lane system that’s designed to enable a natural pace of entry. When Evolv detects something suspicious, it marks it with a red box on an image of the student to help security conduct a less invasive physical search.

A representative for Evolv told school board members earlier this year that the technology is in place at 1,200 school buildings across the country, including 7 school districts in Tennessee.