Added school safety likely

By Eddie West Staff Writer

Following an incident where a BB gun was located inside Gordonsville High School, school officials are expected to upgrade student safety policies and protocols.

Included in the discussion is the need for added school resource officers (SROs) and counselors, having one entrance at each school as well as the possibility of requiring clear backpacks.

A general school safety discussion was held prior to this month’s school board meeting.

During the session, Director of School Barry Smith advocated the need for more SROs as well as counselors for students.

The recent BB gun incident at Gordonsville High School was mitigated within two minutes, Director Smith informed school board members.

In addition to school board members, Officer Jason Stewart, who heads the school system’s SRO program and is assigned to Gordonsville High School, was on hand to participate in the discussion.

Stewart was at Smith County High School with a Homeland Security officer when the BB gun incident occurred at Gordonsville High School.

A SRO officer at Gordonsville Elementary had to respond to the distress alarm set off when a teacher pushed an emergency button on a safety badge wore by all faculty members.

In addition to school administrators and SROs, the emergency alarm system is programed to summon local law enforcement to the school and location of the emergency.

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