Marietta High School Upping Security for Graduation

For the first time in its 132-year-long history, Marietta High School will use weapons detectors at its graduation ceremony.

All guests of the graduation will pass through one of the open air detectors before being allowed entry into Northcutt Stadium Thursday night, something Superintendent Grant Rivera said is "an added value" to the Marietta community.

"We feel as if it's an added value we can offer our community for large-scale events such as graduations and football games," Rivera said. "... We want to take the extra precautions at our large-scale events such as this to make sure that we optimize security."

The school board approved the $116,000 purchase of the Opengate weapons detection system — which included equipment, setup, and on-site training — at its Nov. 14 meeting.

The funds came through the Georgia School Security Grant, which is providing funding across the Peach State to enhance safety at public schools.

Rivera said the machines are similar to what visitors of Truist Park or Mercedes-Benz stadium may pass through, and are able to pick up on contraband that might be missed in more rudimentary scans by a metal detector.

"It's very similar to the weapons detection systems used at sporting events where people can walk through at a higher rate of speed," Rivera said. "... Some types of things, like TSA, are different from what you might find if you're walking into Mercedes Benz or a concert."

Rivera added that the detectors will be at all entrances to the stadium, streamlining the security process.

"We encourage families to get there early, not just for the purposes of this new weapons detection system but also for the purposes of getting a seat," he said. "Some people want to be on one side or the other, some people want the shade or the sun, so obviously we encourage people to get there early and plan accordingly."

Marietta High School graduation will begin 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Northcutt Stadium.