CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System is replacing its Evolv weapons detection pilot technology with a new open-frame screening system at local high schools.

The district has installed the OpenGate weapons detection system at Northeast High and Rossview High and plans to expand the technology to additional campuses in the coming months.

Why switch from Evolv to OpenGate?

In 2023, CMCSS began a pilot program with Evolv security system weapons detection technology in partnership with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. After researching options to expand screening districtwide, CMCSS decided to purchase OpenGate systems instead, using Tennessee Safe Schools Act grant funds, according to CMCSS spokesman Anthony Johnson.

“Implementing weapons detection technologies as a layer to CMCSS’ multi-layered safety and security approach has been a positive addition, and CMCSS and MCSO have continued researching options to expand technology to more schools feasibly,” Johnson said in a statement to families and staff.

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Johnson said OpenGate is more cost-effective than Evolv. The district can purchase OpenGate units outright for approximately $15,000 to $20,000 per unit. The Evolv system involved a six-figure, multi-year lease agreement. The Evolv pilot lease at Northeast High was funded by MCSO.

How OpenGate works at local schools

According to Johnson, OpenGate uses a magnetic field detection system that continuously scans for large metal objects consistent with firearms or similar dangerous objects as individuals walk through the open-frame structure. The system is used by school districts in neighboring Cheatham and Rutherford Counties and others nationwide.

At Northeast High School, students now enter through the activities entrance and are required to pass through the detection system before school. Students can keep their backpacks on, but they must remove certain items such as laptops, metal glasses cases and umbrellas from their bags and hand them to staff before walking through the system. Late arrivals are screened through the front office.

Video from Fairfax, Virginia, Public Schools

The system was implemented at Northeast on Feb. 24 and Rossview on March 3. Johnson said the district’s Safety and Health Department will continue working with the vendor to install the technology at additional high schools over the coming months.

After full implementation at all high schools, CMCSS will evaluate expansion to additional grade levels if grant funding becomes available.

School safety partnership continues

CMCSS continues to invest in school safety partnership with MCSO, Johnson said. In a November 2025 parent and guardian survey, 94.7% of parents said their child feels safe at school. He said that’s nearly a 10-point increase from the 2022-23 school year.

Johnson said the new detection systems add another layer to CMCSS’ existing safety measures, which include security sweeps, law enforcement partnerships and policies allowing searches of persons and property on school campuses.

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