LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County Public Schools has secured $430,000 in emergency funding for weapons detection technology, artificial intelligence gun-detection software and community safety programs following two incidents in which handguns were recovered from students at St. Charles High School on consecutive school days this spring.
The funding was conditionally approved by the Maryland State Department of Education on May 20 as a nonrecurring cost exclusion and unanimously approved by the Charles County Board of Commissioners on June 9 as part of the FY 2027 budget process. School officials say the funding will support both immediate and long-term safety measures before students return for the 2026-27 school year.
School officials say the funding response must go beyond simply detecting weapons on campus. Superintendent Maria V. Navarro said CCPS is also focused on ways to educate students, parents and the community about firearm safety and preventing youth access to guns.
The initiative combines physical security enhancements with community engagement and prevention efforts aimed at addressing the causes behind weapons entering schools.
How The Money Will Be Spent
The $430,000 allocation includes three primary components, as presented by Samantha Chiriaco, chief of budget for the Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, to the commissioners:
Mobile Weapons Detection Program — $300,000
The largest portion of the funding will support a mobile weapons detection program. The initiative includes portable walk-through weapons detection systems that can be deployed at schools, athletic events, graduations and other large gatherings. Funding also covers vehicles, transportation equipment, stanchions, radios, computers, phones and other operational needs required to support the program.
Because the equipment is mobile, it can be moved throughout the school system as needed.
Expansion of AI Gun Detection Technology — $80,000
CCPS currently operates the Omnilert gun detection program across all 44 schools and centers for exterior camera coverage and would increase licenses to extend capabilities inside school buildings, providing immediate alerts when visible firearms are detected.
The additional funding will allow the district to expand the technology to interior cameras, with secondary schools expected to be prioritized.
Community Safety and Student Support Programs — $50,000
CCPS will partner with community members and experts with lived experience in gun violence prevention to design and pilot programming in schools and neighborhoods. The funding is seed money intended to explore models that can be evaluated and replicated across school communities—moving beyond facility-based security toward education and prevention.
Commissioner Approval and Accountability Questions
Although the Maryland State Department of Education had already approved the funding request on May 20, the item returned to county commissioners as part of the FY 2027 budget process during the June 9 morning session.
“I’ll vote to approve, but I’d like to have some metrics to come back and say before you spend the fifty thousand, this is who we’ve hired. This is what they’ve proven to do. These are the results that have been shown,” Bowling said.
Bowling said he wanted assurances that any organizations receiving funding could demonstrate measurable outcomes and accountability.
Navarro agreed and committed to providing commissioners with details about any future programs, organizations involved and expected outcomes.
“The most important thing for me is the metrics,” Navarro said.
She said the district is evaluating local and national programs and plans to work with organizations experienced in youth outreach, violence prevention and firearm safety. Navarro also disclosed that she has already met with the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office has agreed to help develop outreach and educational programming for the upcoming school year.
“We need to make sure that everybody’s aware, and even just for engagement purposes, so that the community and our families are aware of these education programs that we will have students participate in,” Navarro said. “We’re also urging our families to participate.”
Timeline and Summer Procurement Push
Commissioner Thomasina Coates asked whether the new safety measures would be ready when students return for the 2026-27 school year.
Navarro said the district plans to spend the summer purchasing equipment, completing procurement requirements, developing community programs and training staff before rolling out the initiative this fall.
“The summer is for development, purchasing, logistics and then training,” Navarro said.
She acknowledged the district faces a tight timeline to get everything in place before classes resume.
“I know, and I’m just grateful that the commissioners allowed this to come on their agenda because we got to get working on this. I don’t have a lot of time. August will be here,” Navarro said.
The commissioners unanimously approved the budget amendment, clearing the way for CCPS to begin implementation immediately.
Watch the full June 9, 2026 morning session Charles County Board of Commissioners meeting on CCGTV
See full Budget Transfer Request below.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
