The Cobb County School District continues to be proactive when it comes to protecting the safety of our students and staff members. The Board of Education has established that safety is the school district’s highest priority. In these uncertain times, it is important that parents and the rest of the Cobb County community know that our schools are prepared in the event of an emergency or crisis.
School District officials work closely with federal, state and local emergency management agencies that are planning our community’s response to potential threats. The District has a Special Response Team comprised of administrators, security officials and support specialists, equipped to quickly respond to any crisis situation that may arise. The District’s safety and emergency procedures are drafted to be consistent with all other local emergency preparedness plans.
The District’s Police Department provides the first level of safety support for our schools. Each high school has a full-time P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement officer. Additional officers cover middle schools by cluster, and are available to elementary schools as needed. In addition, the District partners with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Department to provide additional officer support for schools.
All local schools have been provided with emergency procedure manuals that provide step-by-step guides for how principals and administrators should respond to a wide variety of scenarios ranging from tornados and fire to biological threats. These plans are regularly reviewed and updated, and schools practice response drills several times during the school year.
The actions taken during an emergency situation will depend a great deal on the specifics of the incident. Before decisions are made, many factors are considered such as how many schools are impacted, the proximity of the incident to schools, and the severity or danger-level of the threat. Responses to safety threats may range from placing school staff on a heightened state of alert to a full-school lockdown, or from a temporary evacuation to early dismissal. The point is that flexibility in the event of an emergency is a key component of each school’s plan.
If you have questions about your child’s safety, please contact your principal or refer to the resources below.
Cobb County School District Safety Links
- Bullying Prevention Resources
- Emergency Crisis Information - School Counseling
- Positive School Culture Support
- More Tips for Helping Parents Talk To Kids About Crisis Situations
