BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — Apalachee High School’s campus is closed Monday, Jan. 13, and students are scheduled to have a digital learning day.
The Barrow County School System sent out the update Saturday night. It says the closure will allow staff time to familiarize themselves with the new weapon detection system there.
The board of education voted unanimous Thursday to purchase and install the OpenGate Weapons Detection System at all of the county’s three high schools.
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Members called an emergency, executive session to do that after deputies say a 14-year-old Apalachee High School student managed to get a gun into the school Wednesday.
That gun crime happened four months after the deadly shooting rampage at that school.
Since then, parents have been pushing for security upgrades.
Those at Thursday’s meeting applauded the decision to buy weapon detectors but criticized the board for not doing it sooner.
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In an update sent to AHS families Saturday night, the school system said students who drive or ride in cars to school should arrive 15 minutes earlier than usual to get used to the system.
It says everyone should be prepared to walk through the devices upon entry and at various times throughout the day.
The remaining two high schools will get detectors in the coming days and weeks, the district says. Staff there will need training as well. The district is using a phased in approach due to training and shipment availability.
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