September 16, 2024 – “As we reflect on the tragedy at Apalachee High School, it is crucial that we redouble our efforts to secure our schools and protect every student in our state.

In the upcoming legislative session, I will advocate for the state budget to include additional state funding for school safety, with the goal of providing a School Resource Officer and a crisis alert system in every Georgia school.

Building on the strong commitment to school safety displayed by Governor Kemp and the General Assembly in previous sessions – including the addition of line-item funding for school safety in 2024 – these are common-sense measures that will increase the security of schools throughout our state. There is also early evidence they made a difference at Apalachee.

Along with the development of a clear school safety plan in collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency management teams, an SRO and crisis alert system should be the standard for every school in Georgia.

As safety begins with being proactive as well, I will also request the expansion of Georgia’s APEX mental health program in schools and to enact policies that support more timely and effective sharing of reports, records, and alerts among law enforcement, school districts, and across agencies. 

I am confident that, working together, we can achieve this for Georgia students in the upcoming session.”

Richard Woods is Georgia’s State School Superintendent.​