TIFTON — Superintendent Natalie Gore spoke briefly Monday night about new addition to Tift County Schools.

At Monday’s combined Tift County Board of Education regular meeting and work session, Gore commended the district operations team for the installation of weapons detection systems at the schools.

“Last week, we completed a staggered deployment in each school,” Gore said, “with different entrances going live on different days.” She said all schools are fully operational now.

By staggering the start dates of weapons detection at each school, Gore said they were able to more efficiently and more smoothly implement the scanner operations.

“There was a great deal of behind the scenes work that went into researching and planning,” Gore said. She thanked the board for their commitment to the safety of students and staff. Teachers, said Gore, had been especially supportive of having the weapons detection systems installed.

On social media, Tift Schools gave pointers to students to help the scanning process each day. Students are advised to remove their Chromebooks/laptop computers from their bookbags, as well as three-ring binders, metal water bottles, Air Pods cases, umbrellas and eyeglasses cases.

Staff are at each scanner. Students and visitors to schools are to take metal items and place them in a basket while they go through the scanners.

The scanners are also active for athletic events, with fans going through them as well.