In the wake of the recent shooting at Apalache High School, Barrow County residents are calling for immediate improvements in school safety.
At Tuesday’s Barrow County Board of Education meeting, parents, students, and community members voiced concerns about the current state of school security and asked for new protective measures.
The Details: Parents at the meeting expressed fear for their children’s safety, pushing for clear bag policies and the installation of metal detectors at school entrances. Some also noted that students are feeling more anxious since the tragedy, stressing the need for a safe environment where they can focus on learning without fear.
The Barrow County Board of Education responded by reaffirming its commitment to improving safety measures across the district. Board members discussed various security options, such as increasing surveillance and holding regular safety drills for students and staff.
TOO MANY ADS? GO AD-FREE
Did You Know?: The ads you see on this site help pay for our website and our work. However, we know some of our readers would rather pay and not see ads. For those users we offer a paid newsletter that contains our articles with no ads.
What You Get: A daily email digest of our articles in full-text with no ads.
Attendance at Apalachee High School was about 99% prior to the shooting. It has dropped to 86% after the shooting. One parent, Sean Schultz, attributed that decline to a perceived lack of proactive measures being taken in the aftermath of the shooting. “My child doesn’t feel safe going back,” Schultz said. “We’re just being reactive, at what point do we start being proactive.”
What’s Next: A key development from the meeting was the announcement of a new task force focused on school safety. This group will include parents, educators, law enforcement, and mental health professionals, all working together to develop practical strategies that can be implemented across the district.
Community members stressed that mental health resources are just as important as physical security, and the board is considering ways to expand counseling services in schools.
Why It Matters: Parents and community members want to be part of the solution, and the Barrow County School Board pledged to include their feedback in the safety planning process. As discussions continue, the board has committed to keeping the public informed about any updates on new safety measures.
