Forum on School Safety Set for February 21 at Franklin Co High School

Franklin County Charter School Director of Safety & Security Scott Andrews is holding a public forum next week to answer questions from parents regarding what the system is doing to protect students.

The forum takes place Tuesday evening, February 21 at 6p at the Franklin County High School auditorium and is a collaboration between Andrews, local law enforcement, and mental health care providers.

Andrews has been working with school administration to beef up security at all of the schools in Franklin County.

Most recently, he announced a new app that allows students to warn school staff if another student has brought a weapon to school and still remain anonymous.

Posters with a QR code can be found in every school so students can download the app onto their phones.

Last November, the Franklin Co School system received a $50,000 Rural Education Safety grant from the Georgia Department of Education.

The monies can be used to purchase items, materials, or services that align with the school system’s safety plans and meet all ESSER fund requirements and guidelines.

The districts must also demonstrate a partnership with local law enforcement or emergency management agencies.

That money was used to purchase a key card entry system for all of the schools.

At last week’s Board of Education meeting, the Board also approved $200,000 in SPLOST V funds to purchase a weapons detection system for every school.

Acting School Superintendent Chuck Colquitt said it’s another step in efforts to keep students safe.

“The $200,000 is for us to buy a weapons detection system for all schools. So that way, as kids or adults go through school it will be able to identify whoever has a weapon,” he explained. “We’re looking at making our schools safer. We’ve done a number of things before this but we felt this was necessary. We looked at other schools that do have them and we thought this was the best way to move forward concerning our ability to keep our kids safe.”

Colquitt added the new weapons detector system will have both fixed and portable detectors which can be used remotely at school events, such as football games.

Andrews said there is also a survey for parents to access before next Tuesday’s forum.

Parents are asked to take the survey by Sunday, Feb 19.

To take the survey you can go online to School Safety Fourm Survey

The survey also allows parents to leave questions anonymously that will be addressed at next Tuesday’s forum.