Appomattox County Public Schools increasing security measures

In a joint presentation to the Appomattox School Board, Sheriff Donald Simpson and Superintendent Annette Bennett presented a multi-level plan to improve security measures for the upcoming school year. In the wake of the school violence in Texas this summer and recent threats of violence at ACHS last spring, a collaborative effort has been made to evaluate the current crisis plans, practices, resources, and facilities and design strategies to address any potential weakness.

As schools prepare to reopen for the 2022-23 school year, Simpson and Bennett reported a number of stronger security measures will be in place this fall. Those measures include:

  • Expanding the School Resource Officer Program-One will be assigned to each school
  • Employing additional security officers to supplement the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program
  • Completing walkthroughs of buildings by local and state law- enforcement agencies to evaluate facilities
  • Adding exterior door alarms- alerting staff if left ajar
  • Increasing after hour surveillance system on all campuses
  • Implementing a student computer monitoring software
  • Implementing a stricter enforcement of our cell phone policy during instructional hours

School staff realizes restricting cell phone use on campuses will require the most adjustment on the part of students, staff and parents. In a letter sent to parents about this decision, Bennett stated, “During the last two years, school administrators estimate that more than 80 percent of school discipline problems have been directly or indirectly related to inappropriate interactions on cell phones and social media accounts. When youth are in continual contact with their peers through texting or social media apps, conflicts can escalate. In some very serious situations, our crisis intervention plans have been initiated as a result of irresponsible and inappropriate contact between students or even individuals outside of our schools, creating serious safety concerns.”

School officials recognize cell phones are a fundamental part of almost everyone’s daily routines. Their utility and functionality make them a helpful tool of convenience. Because it is the school division’s goal to teach students how to responsibly use their cell phones and the internet, informational programs will be offered to educate the school community about the harmful effects of screen time, teach strategies to monitor children’s use of these tools, and provide alternative ways to promote healthy communication.

Simpson and Bennett’s presentation included a request of that the School Board fund two part-time security officers to assist the SROs in the schools, which the board unanimously supported.

Simpson summarized, “We all care deeply about our students, and work hard to keep our schools as safe as possible.”

The school division and law enforcement request everyone’s cooperation with these new security measures and look forward to a safe school year.