What is VOLT AI?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What will it do and not do? It was reported that the district will be testing an artificial intelligence weapons detection system pilot program.

Based on info at the BCC meeting last night, this isn’t a weapons detection system. Jones kept saying they haven’t ruled out piloting a weapons detection system, but there’s nothing in the works. In response to a question, Jones confirmed that VOLT would detect a weapon if it was out during an event that triggered a signal by the system, like a fight or many students congregating in a hallway, but not if it was in a backpack, hidden under a shirt, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will it do and not do? It was reported that the district will be testing an artificial intelligence weapons detection system pilot program.

Based on info at the BCC meeting last night, this isn’t a weapons detection system. Jones kept saying they haven’t ruled out piloting a weapons detection system, but there’s nothing in the works. In response to a question, Jones confirmed that VOLT would detect a weapon if it was out during an event that triggered a signal by the system, like a fight or many students congregating in a hallway, but not if it was in a backpack, hidden under a shirt, etc.

Then what is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will it do and not do? It was reported that the district will be testing an artificial intelligence weapons detection system pilot program.

Based on info at the BCC meeting last night, this isn’t a weapons detection system. Jones kept saying they haven’t ruled out piloting a weapons detection system, but there’s nothing in the works. In response to a question, Jones confirmed that VOLT would detect a weapon if it was out during an event that triggered a signal by the system, like a fight or many students congregating in a hallway, but not if it was in a backpack, hidden under a shirt, etc.

Then what is it?

Supposedly just a system that monitors what’s going on and alerts staff if it sees concerning behavior. Basically AI instead of humans monitoring cameras. Chief Jones was very vague on why he thinks this is a good system, how they’ll assess if the pilot was successful, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will it do and not do? It was reported that the district will be testing an artificial intelligence weapons detection system pilot program.

Based on info at the BCC meeting last night, this isn’t a weapons detection system. Jones kept saying they haven’t ruled out piloting a weapons detection system, but there’s nothing in the works. In response to a question, Jones confirmed that VOLT would detect a weapon if it was out during an event that triggered a signal by the system, like a fight or many students congregating in a hallway, but not if it was in a backpack, hidden under a shirt, etc.

Then what is it?

Supposedly just a system that monitors what’s going on and alerts staff if it sees concerning behavior. Basically AI instead of humans monitoring cameras. Chief Jones was very vague on why he thinks this is a good system, how they’ll assess if the pilot was successful, etc.

So he doesn't understand what it is?

[Anonymous]

Metal detectors are too slow with the number of students entering a building each morning. You would need staff at each detector to screen the kids, like we have a museums. A lot of false positives (keys, belt buckles, phones, jewelry, chromebooks, etc.)

I can understand the need for alternatives. I wonder why they don’t at least do random
Wanding at least for kids who have discipline issues, ankle bracelets, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Metal detectors are too slow with the number of students entering a building each morning. You would need staff at each detector to screen the kids, like we have a museums. A lot of false positives (keys, belt buckles, phones, jewelry, chromebooks, etc.)

I can understand the need for alternatives. I wonder why they don’t at least do random
Wanding at least for kids who have discipline issues, ankle bracelets, etc.

Too slow? Schools of similar sizes have been able to do so. See NW DC high school

[Anonymous]

Dr. Taylor, can we instead please have a working bus tracking app that will show us where our kids' buses are in real time both for pickup and drop off? That would have been so helpful this stormy morning and throughout the Jan storm cleanup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a recap of the meeting? Was Bethesda Mag there or other reporters?

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2026/02/21826-mcps-director-of-security-at-bcc.html

[Anonymous]

^ see link above

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don’t need all this expensive tech. They need to keep bad kids out of good schools. There were reformed schools a long time ago, and when a boy got into trouble with the law the judge would say “son, it’s the military or jail, your choice.” They came out changed men.

You sound like you’re 90 years old. “Boy, you better get yerself straight fore the law comes up after ‘ya!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don’t need all this expensive tech. They need to keep bad kids out of good schools. There were reformed schools a long time ago, and when a boy got into trouble with the law the judge would say “son, it’s the military or jail, your choice.” They came out changed men.

You sound like you’re 90 years old. “Boy, you better get yerself straight fore the law comes up after ‘ya!”

And what is your solution?
-DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Typical medal detector gate costs like $3000, and each HS needs like 4? How much does this one cost? What’s the advantage AI can bring over traditional ones? It’s ridiculous to have a more advanced weapon detector than airport. I hope some journalist is interested in digging more, especially this procurement doesn’t appear on BOE approval list.

It's not more advanced than airport scanners

And false positives and failures to detect true positives. This is why they’re not used that much at airports.

Out kids are not Guinea pigs.

This is an attempt to try something—definitely better than doing nothing and just asking parents to be more aware and having more school counselors. Nothing negative is being done to our kids by using this. It is a trial to see if it is helpful for the safety of the schools, nothing will be perfect but this is definitely better than what we have now….

Even if you believe that, the trial should have been proposed, debated and voted on. Not just decided upon in a backdoor deal with Taylor and Jones.

Nope. It's a trial. They would propose, debate and vote on it if they decide to go with it.

Contract is already signed.

For the pilot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Typical medal detector gate costs like $3000, and each HS needs like 4? How much does this one cost? What’s the advantage AI can bring over traditional ones? It’s ridiculous to have a more advanced weapon detector than airport. I hope some journalist is interested in digging more, especially this procurement doesn’t appear on BOE approval list.

It's not more advanced than airport scanners

And false positives and failures to detect true positives. This is why they’re not used that much at airports.

Out kids are not Guinea pigs.

This is an attempt to try something—definitely better than doing nothing and just asking parents to be more aware and having more school counselors. Nothing negative is being done to our kids by using this. It is a trial to see if it is helpful for the safety of the schools, nothing will be perfect but this is definitely better than what we have now….

Even if you believe that, the trial should have been proposed, debated and voted on. Not just decided upon in a backdoor deal with Taylor and Jones.

Nope. It's a trial. They would propose, debate and vote on it if they decide to go with it.

Contract is already signed.

For the pilot

When was the pilot discussed?

[Anonymous]

Why are parents required to discuss every school purchase? File a CFP if it concerns you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Typical medal detector gate costs like $3000, and each HS needs like 4? How much does this one cost? What’s the advantage AI can bring over traditional ones? It’s ridiculous to have a more advanced weapon detector than airport. I hope some journalist is interested in digging more, especially this procurement doesn’t appear on BOE approval list.

It's not more advanced than airport scanners

And false positives and failures to detect true positives. This is why they’re not used that much at airports.

Out kids are not Guinea pigs.

This is an attempt to try something—definitely better than doing nothing and just asking parents to be more aware and having more school counselors. Nothing negative is being done to our kids by using this. It is a trial to see if it is helpful for the safety of the schools, nothing will be perfect but this is definitely better than what we have now….

Even if you believe that, the trial should have been proposed, debated and voted on. Not just decided upon in a backdoor deal with Taylor and Jones.

Nope. It's a trial. They would propose, debate and vote on it if they decide to go with it.

Contract is already signed.

For the pilot

When was the pilot discussed?

Pilots don't need to be discussed. Discussions come after.