Ballard High School expects weapons detection system to be in use by the end of the week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A weapons detection system will likely be in use at Ballard High School by the end of this week, according to Principal Jason Neuss.

In a letter sent to families Sunday, Neuss said the Evolv Express system has been installed at the school, and staff training is underway.

It's the first Jefferson County Public Schools building to install and start training on the Evolv weapons detection system.

Evolv's system is different from metal detectors in that it uses artificial intelligence-based technology to detect weapons. It allows students to walk through the "open-air kiosk" without removing their bags or emptying their pockets. A guard or trained staff member monitors the system on a tablet, and is alerted when a weapon is detected on a person.

The system scans bags and pockets in real time. If an item is seen on the scanner as a student walks through it, the normally green light on the system turns red and a photo of the student will be shown on a tablet visible to trained staff. The photo will also have a red box around the "potentially dangerous item," and the trained staff member will search that area.

Ballard is asking families to take some precautions to help limit false alerts and to follow some guidelines to speed up the process of getting into the school and going through the detectors.

Bring clear and plastic school supplies when possible
Use hard plastic cases for eyeglasses over metal
Use three-ring binders with plastic spines
Keep most metal items at home — such as game consoles, beauty products or USB drives

None of these items are banned, but may be flagged by Evolv. Students are also asked to pack lightly to limit the number of items in their bag or bags. Laptops and umbrellas will be passed around the system through a staffed table, officials said.

Ballard expects everyone to start walking through the devices later this week, but an exact date wasn't announced.

"While weapon detection systems are another tool for us to maintain safety in our schools, they do not guarantee a weapon will not make it into the building," Neuss said in a letter to families on Sunday. "We must all continue to work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our school community."

JCPS plans to put the weapons detection systems in high schools this year, and start installing them in middle schools by the start of the 2024-25 school year.

The system is estimated to cost the district $17 million for a five-year lease. The district will be responsible for staffing and upkeep of the systems.

To read more about the systems, the implementation timeline for all JCPS schools, and for a look at how they work, click here.

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