Jan. 2, 2013 –  Hall County parents can feel a little relief today after Hall County School Superintendent Will Schofield announced an enhanced emergency and security preparedness plan taking effect today.

Superintendent Schofield said,“We are all painfully aware that the last day of school before the break coincided with the unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. Our hearts break with that community, and our nation stands almost universally affected.”

Schofield went on to say, “As we prepare to send our children back to school let me reassure our parents, students, employees and community that safety is an ever-present priority within our schools.”

Objectives:

• Judicious coordination of planning and preparation: Dr. Gary Stewart, a former Military Police Officer, leads these efforts.
• Constant communication with local law enforcement and emergency first responder personnel.
• Continually updated school-level safety plans, which include multiple modes of immediate internal and external communication with parents and our community.
• Emergency preparedness training for our transportation department.
• Limited access entrances at all elementary schools.
• Designated Safety Coordinators at every school.
• Trained School Resource Officers at every middle and high school.

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Schofield also said that Hall County sheriff-elect Gerald Couch has assured him that the police patrol will be increased and implemented at all schools.

Schofield said he recently discussed the matter with Governor Nathan Deal and, “administrators will be meeting with numerous community members to review current procedures and to discuss potential improvements.”