Fannin County Makes Plans to Increase School Safety

Fannin County School System has several plans of action to make schools safer in light of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.Since the horrific event that struck our nation just days before Christmas, Fannin County Superintendent has one goal in mind and that is to make all of the schools a safer place that students can feel secure. During the January work session, Assistant Superintendent, Art Hubbard presented proposals for modifications to be made to each of the schools in the county that he and Benny Long had developed. These plans include adding cameras and DVRs to each school. West Fannin has requested 30 cameras and the High School and two other elementary schools requested around 20 each. The number needed by the Middle School has yet to be determined.

Another measure of security proposed to the board was the installation of magnetic locks on various doors throughout the campus at each school. While some schools can easily be fixed to have a vested area for visitors to stay, others can not. West Fannin is the school that will require the most work based on the proposed plans of action.

In addition to these proposals, Hubbard and Long expressed their desire to keep the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) a private matter.

“We don’t want the bad guys to know what we’re doing in case of an emergency”

Long said. The EOP was revised and updated last month but Hubbard and Long are already working to improve it and make some major changes.

Assuming these proposals are approved by the board, they will be supported by SPLOST funds. FYN will continue to provide coverage regarding the safety of Fannin’s schools.