State House Passes “Safe Schools Act”

The state House of Representatives has a bill aimed at bolstering school safety in Georgia.

Capitol Beat News reports the “Safe Schools Act,” which has the strong support of Gov. Brian Kemp, passed on a 148-20 vote.

Sponsored by Rep. Will Wade, R-Dawsonville, the bill would require schools to conduct an intruder or active-shooter drill by Oct. 1 each year.

It would also require public schools to submit school safety plans to the Georgia Emergency Management Association as well as local emergency management and law enforcement agencies.

The Lavonia Police Department routinely holds active shooter training at Lavonia Elementary School.

Last summer, officers were involved in a two-day training event.

Former Police Chief Bruce Carlisle said at the time a larger scale, more in-depth active shooter training would be planned for this year.

In recent months, the Franklin County Charter System has instituted several initiatives aimed at keeping students safe in the classroom.

The latest was the decision by the Board of Education and Administration to use $200,000 in SPLOST monies to purchase a weapons detection system for all of the schools.

Acting School Superintendent Chuck Colquitt said the detection system is necessary.

“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.”

The weapons detection system also includes portable units that can be used at school events outside school buildings.

In January, the school system also instituted a way for students to report another student they believe 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.

And last November, Franklin County Schools received a $50,000 grant they used to purchase and install key card entry pads at all of the schools.

Though the bill breezed through the House, it drew criticism from some Democratic lawmakers.