The Liberty County School System is looking at installing new weapons detectors at its middle and high schools and is weighing a change in the book bag policy.
Board members approved weapons detection systems to be put in all three middle, both high schools and the Liberty College and Career Academy, and will look at doing the same for the elementary schools.
The detection systems are expected to be delivered in the next several weeks and have a cost of nearly $347,000. A safety grant from the state Department of Education is covering 99.4% of the cost. “Over the last several months, we have researched and discussed the best steps to strengthen our safety infrastructure across the school district,” school system operations director Arnold Jackson said. “It is a clear statement that we are committed to providing the safest possible environment for our students and utilizing every tool at our disposal.”
The school system looked at a similar detection system currently in place at Long County schools. About half the school in the 1st District Regional Education Service Agency, or RESA, have a weapons detection system, Jackson added.
Initially, the school system will install 20 weapons detection systems and they can be used at other events, such as sporting events or graduation ceremonies.
“One of the things unique about this system is it rapidly gets students in,” Jackson said. “They don’t have take out their keys. They don’t have to take out their notebooks. They don’t have to take out their cell phones. It’s the latest and greatest out there.”
The systems will screen all students, staff and visitors, Jackson said. Students will enter through designated doors equipped with the detectors and students will be asked to place certain items on tables for inspection if an alert is triggered.
A student who refuses to comply will be charged with violation of the code of conduct. Visitors who refuse to comply will be denied entry.
“Our goal is safety, not punishment,” Jackson said. “But rules must be enforced.”
The new detection gates will be manned by trained school staff and administrators, along with security personnel, Jackson said.
The same system is now in place at Apalachee High School, a school of more than 1,900 outside of Athens that had a shooting last year, resulting in the deaths of two students and two teachers.
The school system may amend its education special purpose local option sales tax budget to pay for such detection systems at its seven elementary schools.
“We want all of our students safe,” interim Superintendent Debra Frazier said.
School system officials also broached a change to the bookbag policy, recommending going to clear backpacks for the start of the 2026-27 school year.
“We are taking proactive steps to create a safe and secure learning environment for our students, staff and visitors,” Jackson said. “We want to make it as easy as possible to detect items.”
The policy, should board members approve it at their next meeting, also will apply at athletic events. Jackson said the system wanted to give parents time before requiring clear book bags.