Franklin BOE Approves SPLOST Funds for Weapon Detection Equipment

No one ever thought it could happen here but the problem of students bringing weapons to school is on the rise.

That’s why the Franklin County Board of Education has approved up to $200,000 to install hi-tech equipment in each school that will detect weapons.

The money will come from SPLOST V.

Since last fall there have three incidents on school campuses in which a student brought a gun to school and one incident in which an adult was found to have a gun on their person.

Last month, Scott Andrews, Safety & Security Officer for the Franklin County Charter System, launched a new app for students to use to report if a student was carrying a weapon or any other kind of incident.

The student is able to make the report anonymously via the app which is then sent to school staff.

Students can download the app via a QR code posted on signs in every school.

In other business, the Board also approved $757,423.82 to fulfill the purchase agreement approved previously for the purchase of the land for the new elementary school.

Last April in a called meeting, the Board voted 3-2 to approve the contract with Board Chair Robin Cato and Board Member Randall Gailey voting against it.

The property is located at 5670 Highway 145 is in Carnesville not far from Franklin County High School.