Duval County elementary students will begin walking through weapons detectors as their schools receive the equipment during a phased rollout starting in the 2026-27 school year. The school board approved the $2 million expansion June 2.

The district plans to equip about 30 elementary schools each year over three years with CEIA OPENGATE weapons detection systems, according to a district announcement. The same systems were installed at all Duval County middle schools during the 2025-26 school year. High schools use similar technology manufactured by Evolv.

Installation dates will vary by school. Principals will notify families before the equipment is installed, including the installation date and any changes to arrival procedures, the district said.

The walk-through systems are designed to detect firearms, knives and materials or components used to construct explosive devices. Once the equipment is operational, all students and visitors entering the school must pass through. School police officers, security staff and trained school employees will manage screening. If a detector alerts, the student steps aside for a secondary screening while the entry line continues moving.

News4JAX reported that students are taught the acronym BLUE for items to remove from their bags: binders, laptops, umbrellas and eyeglass cases. The district's back-to-school guide describes the systems as working "without requiring students to remove their personal items." Families should follow the specific screening instructions provided by their school.

If a student refuses screening, a parent or guardian will be contacted and the student will be sent home, according to the district's FAQ.

The detectors are one layer in a district security plan that also includes armed safe-school officers at every school, K9 units, locked classroom doors, surveillance cameras that the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office can access when needed, and the FortifyFL reporting app.

Families should watch for direct communication from their child's principal with installation dates and new arrival procedures.