Welcome back to Just the Facts! 

Since last week's tragedy in Barrow County, I have received many very good questions about student safety in Cobb. Interestingly, some of the safety questions addressed issues that were larger than just physical safety. Let's get to it! 

Question from a dad with a child in a Cobb middle school: 

"What can we do as parents to coordinate with our school when we think there could be a problem? As a dad and employee in the law enforcement sector, I can easily see the massive investment in safety. I see the cameras, PD presence, tip line, secure checkpoints, and response system, among just a few safety items. As a parent, I also know most safety problems start at home." 

I could talk to this gentleman all day. First, thank you for your service, sir. 

To answer your question, the earlier our police, principals, and District staff know of a threat, the better for everyone. Our schools are the safest buildings in the county, but stopping a problem before it starts, at home, is always the best way to keep students safe. As part of Cobb Shield, we have a district tip line staffed by a public safety team that monitor reports 24 hours a day. Email, text, or call us when you see something – say something. Those who spend their lives protecting our children will take it from there. The CCSD staff tells me we receive hundreds of tips every school year, and police fully investigate each one. 

Question from a mom with two children in a Cobb elementary school: 

"It's hard to get in the front door at my daughter's school. I get the need for safety, but can we do something about treating schools so they do not seem like prisons?" 

Thanks for your question. This is a good example of our schools being the safest buildings in Cobb. I believe I've mentioned this in a previous Just the Facts; we know some of our safety decisions are inconvenient. Some of my family members are teachers, and yes, I am required to check in just like everyone else. If we have to choose between convenience and keeping your children safer, we choose safety every time. A couple of our public safety experts spoke for 20 minutes or so about protecting your daughters on campus. It's worth a listen! 

The next question is from a mother with 9th-grade twins in Cobb: 

"As a highly involved mom, can you explain why I hear other parents and administrators say that student safety goes beyond the physical safety of their schools?" 

First, thanks for being an engaged parent, that is one of our best tools to ensure our schools remain safe; developing and growing those necessary family relationships where our children thrive. Yes, those folks who claim that student safety goes beyond the physical safety label hit the proverbial nail on the head. While physical safety is extremely important, your child's safety includes mental and emotional health. Yes, I am talking about removing books that include sexually explicit content in our schools. Furthermore, the stability that Cobb's schools deliver every day helps create a safe community environment in which our students look forward to their days in college and beyond. 

A Cobb high school student asked: 

"My mom told me some people want to know more about what you all are doing to keep us safe. I googled it and found a ton of videos and websites with info. But, I was not able to find out much about my high school and how many police or cameras we have. Weirdly, I couldn't really find anything that I see other schools doing around the country. Why can't I find that information?" 

Nothing better than hearing directly from our students! The other day, I was talking with a teacher, and she said, "The world has gone crazy; I feel safer at school than anywhere else. It feels so good knowing all of the people and money you all have spent to keep us safe every day. We just need to know people are looking out for our safety every day; that's more than anyone can say about the park or place I shop". If you have not guessed by now, I am not going to answer the specifics of your question because we want to remain at least one step ahead of any potential danger. 

In closing, you may hear us talking about "stability" and why it matters. 

Over the last five years, some have argued for "defunding the police," taking guns out of school police officers' hands, moving money from safety to other areas of interest, blaming community crime on the schools, criticized safety drills, and fought against money spent on the crisis response system in our schools. Instead, the School Board and Superintendent have doubled and tripled down on keeping your children and grandchildren safe. Because of these and other safety investments we have made, the "feeling" our students and parents have is one of security, not fear. 

Thanks again for spending some time together. Please do say hello when we see each other in school or at a game this fall. 

Board Chair Randy Scamihorn