MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Schools is rolling out new daily safety scans for all the high schools and traditional middle schools starting this spring.
Students will find the OPENGATE® scanners at entrances in the schools, and will be allowed to wear backpacks when walking through them. They will need to remove any items with metal, like binders with three rings, as well as laptops and other electronic devices, similar to scanning systems at professional sports or arts arenas.
The district put together an explanatory video about how the new scanners will work.
District officials also confirmed that the scanner software does not use “facial recognition, student data, or any other surveillance technology”.
The district explained the new devices in a letter to parents:
Dear MPS Middle and High School Families,
The safety of our students, staff, families, and visitors is our highest priority.
With this in mind, Milwaukee Public Schools will be rolling out new, higher-tech daily safety scans at all of our high schools and traditional middle schools this spring. The new technology mirrors what you would typically see at a pro sports game or concert. It means a faster scanning process that still helps us keep schools safe. While we all wish it were not the case, we have seen too many reminders — including one elsewhere in Wisconsin in 2024 — of the danger posed by weapons in a school building. This step is one of many layers of protection for our schools.
Our new technology directly addresses concerns raised by students. Students were concerned about the time it takes to go through a traditional scan with older technology — and the invasiveness of the process. With our new higher-tech scans, students can typically keep their backpacks on for the daily scan. They only have to take out very specific things if they have them, like a laptop or three-ring binder. And with fewer “false alarms,” it’s a less intimidating, more efficient, and faster scanning process.
These systems do not have or use facial recognition, student data, or any other surveillance technology. It is important to note that the sensitivity of the scanners can be adjusted to search for other items not permitted in school, and schools may use the scanners for that purpose in addition to the daily safety scan.
To see the scans in action, we invite you to watch a video produced in partnership with MPS students!
Your principals will be sharing an update for you on the timing and information specific to your school. Staff from the technology provider, CEIA OPENGATE®, will be present at every school for two days.
For most of our schools, this change is simply a technology upgrade. Especially for the smaller number of high schools and middle schools not currently using a daily scan, the principal’s message will include opportunities to learn more about the technology and ask questions.
I want to thank you for continuing to be a partner to the district and your school as we prioritize safe learning environments for everyone.
In partnership,
Michael Harris
Interim Deputy Superintendent
