ATLANTA — Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods wants additional security measures at schools across Georgia. This comes following the deadly Apalachee High shooting.
Woods released a statement last month after the school tragedy, calling for more to more to be done. Since then, 11Alive got a chance to speak with him about steps he would like to see taken.
"It's preparation that we have to look at. What can we do to prevent this from ever happening?" he said. "But, [we] also [need to be] looking at response."
Woods previously said he would advocate for the state budget to include more funding for school safety in the upcoming legislative session, including having a school resource officer and a crisis alert system in every school in Georgia.
"I think having a school resource officer in every school definitely would benefit us and also a first alert system," Woods told 11Alive. "Both seemed to be very critical to reducing the potential damage and the horrible situation at Apalachee."
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said it took just 52 seconds for his deputies to bring the shooting to an end. A Centegix panic alert showed them where the problem was; on-site school resource officers rushed to the scene.
Apalachee students went through a full day of classes Monday for the first time since he shooting.
When it comes to safety efforts, Woods said he also wants to develop a clear school safety plan in collaboration with local law enforcement, emergency management teams, SROs, and the crisis alert system.
Outside of security, Woods wants to expand mental health services for K-12 students.
More on the Apalachee High School shooting
On the morning of Sept. 4, lives were forever changed at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. On that day, the GBI said at 10:20 a.m., the Barrow County Sheriff's Office received alerts about reports of an "active shooter."
During a news conference later that day, the GBI said two students and two teachers were killed in the shooting.
The victims were identified by the GBI as the following:
The GBI also identified the accused shooter as Colt Gray, who is a student at Apalachee High School. Colt Gray is facing four counts of felony murder in connection with the shooting and will be tried as an adult. The GBI said additional charges are expected.
His father, Colin Gray, is also facing charges. Colin Gray is accused of knowingly allowing his son, Colt Gray, to possess a weapon, according to the GBI.