The Jackson County Schools will conduct monthly drug detection canine searches across the district in the new school year.
Director of Schools Justin Hardy said they decided to move forward with the private vendor after previously exploring options to utilize local law enforcement resources for the searches.
“I think the city and the county both have dogs now, so never really kind of got back to me when we ever got more in-depth in that conversation,” Hardy said. “So, that’s why we have it on the agenda tonight to stick with the Interquest K9.”
Hardy said the contract requires the detection dogs to visit the schools at least once a month during the academic year. The animals are trained to identify a variety of prohibited items beyond standard illegal drugs, including alcohol, vapes and firearms, according to the company’s website.
“He told me they have a few more things on the list that it can detect,” Hardy said. “I don’t have the sheet with me.”
Hardy said he initiated discussions last year regarding a potential partnership to use city-owned dogs. Hardy said those talks did not progress to a formal agreement.
“We talked a little bit last year about partnering with the city,” Hardy said. “I had some conversations, but they didn’t really go anywhere with the current, I guess, city.”
Interquest Detection Canines will conduct the searches.