Georgia's largest teacher organization shares policy recommendations following Apalachee shooting

Police officers gather near Apalachee High School after a fatal shooting at the school.
Police officers gather near Apalachee High School after a fatal shooting on Sept. 4, 2024. (Chamian Cruz/WABE)

Following last week’s school shooting in Barrow County that left four people dead, teachers and school officials are once again trying to mitigate, if not prevent, similar incidents in the future.

Craig Harper, executive director of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, said schools have had safety and security at the forefront of their planning for some time now.

Thanks to new security technology, protocols and the presence of school resource officers at Apalachee High School, Harper said, there were not more victims.

According to Harper, there is consensus among teachers that more counseling, mental health and social services are needed to help students before they reach a point of crisis.

Christopher Alston contributed to this report.