Manatee County Schools spends $10 million on new security upgrades

The school district has committed $10 million to enhance security measures for the upcoming school year, which includes funding for construction to bolster safety across school facilities.

Starting today, all Manatee County high schools will implement a new screening system called "Evolv," designed to enhance security for students and visitors.

### Key Points to Know

- Manatee County Schools has allocated $10 million for new security initiatives this school year.

- In addition to construction upgrades at school buildings, a new weapon detection technology will be installed at every high school and select middle schools.

- Michael Barber, the school district’s Communications Director, stated that these enhancements, along with the county's speed cameras, are intended to ensure the safety of students both on school grounds and during their commutes.

The district emphasizes that "Evolv" is not a metal detector but a sophisticated weapon detection system. If the system flags a potential threat as a student passes through, that student will undergo additional screening. This protocol was trialed in various high schools last year and will now be fully implemented across all high schools and randomly chosen middle schools.

These measures follow a series of security incidents in recent years, including bomb and gun threats that led to student arrests. Last year, a 14-year-old student at Palmetto High School was arrested by Palmetto Police for bringing a gun to school.

Barber emphasized that students caught with weapons on school property could face criminal charges and disciplinary actions, including expulsion—a policy that has been enforced in the past.

"The intention behind this is to provide a genuine sense of security for our students, teachers, and staff, knowing there’s an advanced system in place to detect any potential threats as they enter our campuses," Barber explained.

Additionally, a portion of the $10 million investment was directed towards upgrading the physical security infrastructure of school buildings.

Earlier this year, Manatee County Commissioners approved the installation of speed-detecting cameras in all school zones. These cameras will be active during school hours, and drivers began noticing the installation of warning signs and cameras over the summer. During the first 30 days, drivers exceeding the speed limit by 10 miles per hour or more will receive a warning. After this grace period, violators will face a $100 fine for each offense.

Barber expressed the district's gratitude to the county commission for authorizing the speed zone cameras, believing that these cameras add an additional layer of safety for students traveling to and from school.