By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
School safety and the 2025-26 academic calendar were some of the key items discussed at the Feb. 13 Barren County Schools Board of Education meeting.
With board member Mike Miller’s motion and Joey Newberry’s second, the five board members unanimously approved the purchase of ten Open Gate weapon detection systems from CEIA for $17,200 a piece. According to CEIA’s website, Open Gate was presented in 2021 for “automatic screening of people, luggage, backpacks and bags…in high-throughput public areas.”
Superintendent Amy Irwin said the ten units would primarily be for the middle and high schools but noted Open Gate was portable if they needed to move them to other locations.
Board chair Shelly Groce expressed her support for the safety devices commenting that even though it was just one part of the district’s safety plan it can give greater peace of mind to parents and students.
“If we’re going to spend the money, this is where we should,” Groce said.
Irwin said if everything goes smoothly, the district could be training staff — which is provided by the company — and implementing Open Gate by the end of this school year. She added students and parents would be informed about the devices before they are in use.
Director of Finance Joe Murley said the money would primarily come from the Trojan Campus construction fund.
The board members also conducted a second reading on the 2025-26 school calendar, which has the first day for students listed as Aug. 13 and the last day as May 20. The preschool would begin on Aug. 27 and end on May 6.
Possible make-up days for this calendar are Feb. 20 and Mar. 20.
