In an effort to keep students safe while minimally interrupting the school day, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has invested in eight new OPENGATE metal detection systems, and members of the media were invited to Glenn High School on Thursday morning to see them in action.
OPENGATE metal detectors consist of two lightweight pillars that entrants into a building can walk between and that can scan bags for metal at a variety of concentrations. While more traditional metal detectors respond to any quantity of a certain metal and go off frequently in response to permitted items, OPENGATE’s more discerning detection method results in far fewer stops and searches. Students will still have to remove certain items from their bags before going into school, including Chromebooks and three-ring binders (which are not banned at any school, but which administrators have suggested not using if possible for the sake of convenience), but early trials with the OPENGATE devices have shown drastic reductions in wait times, often screening six students in the time it would usually take to screen just one. Long waits at metal detection points can disrupt class time in extreme circumstances, and the new system can alleviate that problem without compromising safety.
“This system allows us to stay virtually on our same schedule every single day,” said Glenn Principal Scott Munsie. “It’s really, really good.”
The OPENGATE detectors will spend this school year in a pilot program, with the eight units moving between campuses for random deployment. Purchasing enough of the systems to cover every middle and high school in the district would cost $2 million, and Chief Safety and Security Officer Jonathan Wilson wants to have a large sample size to go off of before asking the Board of Education to make such a significant investment. He emphasized during the media event that even under the best circumstances, improved metal detection will only be one piece of the puzzle when it comes to keeping students secure. New camera and access control technology, strict adherence to the Standard Response Protocol, and a commitment among school staff to supporting students at school will all need to work in conjunction with security screenings to make schools as safe as possible.
“From the time you drive onto our campus to the time that kids leave on the school bus and go home, the students are in our care,” Wilson said. “We want to return the students to their parents the same way that they sent them to us that morning… we’re doing everything within our power, but we don’t want to put all of our eggs into one basket.”
A major positive sign emerged from the demonstration at Glenn – students are feeling better about arriving at school. Munsie explained that not only were the shorter wait times creating a more seamless experience at the beginning of the school day, but the less invasive nature of the OPENGATE systems has had a positive impact on school culture. Students want to feel safe at school without feeling like they’re under a microscope, and so far, OPENGATE is helping.
“I think it works a lot better this way,” said Glenn Sophomore Mason Turner. “It makes a difference in the way you start your day.”