Lenoir City Schools invests in p

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Lenoir City Schools started investing more in security measures throughout the entire district. This includes buying a portable detector device called OpenGate.

“We were looking for something that was mobile and that was easy to use,” Lenoir City Director of Schools Millicent Smith said.

The OpenGate detection system allows school resource officers to detect what students and others walking into schools have on them coming into the building. They’ll also be able to move it to any location on campus, including the front door or outside sporting events, according to Smith.

Smith said they’ve already seen benefits from an initial test run.

“We don‘t want to impede the experience of our students and our families when they come visit us,” Smith said. “Just making sure we understood what the process was but also making sure students understand the ’why' behind what were doing in terms of trying to keep them safe.”

School data shows it cost just over $20,000 for one OpenGate system. The district has also invested in Centegix badges for teachers and faculty. The badges cost a total of $65,960 for a 4-year contract.

These badges allow them to get in contact with SRO’s, nurses or the front office immediately.

“This would allow teachers another sense of security around not just emergencies, but also just those everyday needs they have,” Smith said.

The district purchased these to be used in all schools, but they will not go into place until next semester, according to officials.

Lenoir City Schools has already added an SRO in the high school this year. This makes it four SROs in three schools there. Smith said this is good to have at the high school, especially with the new OpenGate system.

“It was great not just for the adults who were responsible for doing it, but also the students learning that are learning this part of the process,” Smith said after the first test of the device.

The school district was also awarded a large COPS Grant to update the camera systems in all buildings

Smith said after more testing on the OpenGate device, they’ll discuss with the school board if it is cost-effective to have more of them throughout the schools in Lenoir City.