The recent school shooting in Barrow County, Georgia, has parents and educators throughout the Northeast Georgia region worried about school safety.

 Why It’s Newsworthy: With the recent shooting at Apalachee High school, other counties — like Madison County — are discussing ways to increase security measures in their schools. 

Victim Totals Across the Years from School Shootings (U.S.)

(Data From Center for Homeland Defense and Security)

As seen in the graph above, there has been an increase over the years in the number of victims of school shootings. For example, in 2007, the total number of students wounded or killed was 62. Then in 2022, the total was 161. 

Superintendent of Madison County Schools Jody Goodroe said he takes the safety of students seriously and plans to continue discussing ways to enhance safety.

“It’s a time that we reflect on what our practices are and how can we improve,” Goodroe said. “And we all want the same thing. We want safe, positive learning environments for our kids to be able to come to school.” 

Goodroe said the district has already put measures in place including keypads, security badges and bullet-resistant film on windows and doors. Prior to the recent shooting, various security enhancements were implemented at Madison County Schools over the last couple of years.

However, with the recent shooting, Goodroe has a new idea to help.

“Barrow is like our backdoor,” he said. “And, you know, we have lots of connections to Barrow County.”

Barrow County schools have a push-button alert system produced by Centegix. It serves as a panic button and can be set up to notify the sheriff’s department. Goodroe said Madison County schools have been looking at the system since July.

“We approved to purchase it,” he said. “It’ll take a couple of months to get all the infrastructure in place to actually roll it out.”

They hope to have it by Christmas of this year. Goodroe said he feels this would be very helpful because the faster law enforcement can respond, the more lives can be saved. 

Other Security Measures

Goodroe added there is a student resource officer at every school, including two at the high school.

“We have worked really close with the sheriff’s office for years,” he said. “And, I would tell you that the response and the support that I get from our sheriff’s office is great.” 

Goodroe also discussed other forms of security that he is confident in.

“We’re always finding a hole somewhere and adding a camera,” he said, “so we have lots and lots of security cameras.” 

Liam Real is a student majoring in journalism at the University of Georgia.