All of Chesterfield’s middle and high schools will have weapons scanners by the time students come back in August.
Why it matters: The decision comes after a year that’s seen Chesterfield schools face lockdowns and closures because of multiple fake shooting threats, a Meadowbrook High student stabbed in the hallway and a 14-year-old bringing a gun to school.
Driving the news: The School Board unanimously approved the scanners Tuesday night, making the county one of the last Richmond-area school systems to add them.
- The vote follows intensifying concerns from parents and staff about school violence and a need for more safety measures.
Zoom out: It also puts Chesterfield in line with Richmond, which has had metal detectors in its middle and high schools for over a year.
- Henrico added weapons scanners to its elementary schools last year, after already placing them in its other schools in 2023.
- Hanover only uses them for major athletic events.
By the numbers: CCPS is paying nearly $2.8 million to purchase about 150 weapons scanners.
- They’ll have an annual cost of almost $150,000 for maintenance and troubleshooting.
Yes, but: The Board of Supervisors still has to approve the allocation of funds for the scanners on May 28, though the purchase orders have already begun, per county documents…