County Schools seek to use lottery funds for weapons detectors and new roofs
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Davidson County Schools are looking to use $2.2 million in lottery funds to purchase metal/weapon detectors for all middle and high schools in the district and to replace the roof at Reeds Elementary and West Davidson High School.
On Monday, the Davidson County Commissioners approved a request from the school district to submit an application to the state for $2,274,002 in lottery funds for the purchase of 34 metal detectors and for two roof projects.
The cost of the metal detectors is estimated at $641,000 and includes three portable units at each of the seven high schools, two in each middle school, and one for the safety coordinator’s office.
According to Davidson County Schools Superintendent Gregg Slate, these units can be used for daily arrivals and throughout the day for visitors, but they can also be moved to be used during athletic events.
“This is an excellent opportunity to use these (funds) to add another tool to our toolkit for our schools,” said Slate. “These are some critical projects that we need to be completed.”
He added that the OPENGATE metal detectors are the same kind used during Carolina Panthers football games.
“I think it's a shame we have to do this, but times have changed and we have to change with it. School safety is a prioritization, so we appreciate the proactiveness of bringing this,” said Commissioner Matt Mizell.
The roofing projects at West Davidson High School and Reeds Elementary are estimated to cost $1.6 million.
The Davidson County Schools Board of Education approved the application for lottery funds during its Dec. 1 meeting, but the district is also required to get approval from the Davidson County Commissioners.
According to Davidson County Manager Casey Smith, no county funds will be used for the projects.
