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School Safety

School and Student Safety

At Franklin County Schools, the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is our highest priority. We are committed to providing safe, secure learning and working environments by continually investing in safety equipment, technology, training, and emergency preparedness. Every school in the district maintains a comprehensive safety plan, as required by the State of Georgia, that is regularly reviewed, updated, and practiced to ensure preparedness for a variety of emergency situations.

Maintaining safe and orderly schools is a shared responsibility. The support of parents, families, and our community is essential to this effort. Franklin County Schools works in close partnership with the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to develop, implement, and continually enhance district and school safety plans. Through these collaborative efforts, we remain committed to providing an environment where students can learn, employees can work, and visitors can feel safe and welcome.

Safety Measures Required by Law

Franklin County Schools are required by law to do the following:

Have school safety plans in place
Have the plans on file with the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency
Conduct a regular series of safety drills on that plan (i.e. Lockdown, Fire, Evacuation. Severe Weather Drills)
Implement a mobile panic alert system and complete digital mapping for
Provide Instruction on Suicide and Violence Prevention to students in grades 6-12

School Safety Resources

The school district has many safety measures in place like these:

Annually updated safety plans and a safety committee at each school/office
Ongoing Faculty and staff safety training
Regular reviews of safety practices with public safety
A team of school resource officers (SROs)
Centegix wearable panic buttons for all employees which empower them to immediately either call for help or lockdown a school
Weapons detectors deployed at key entrances
Secured front entry areas and locked inner and outer doors
Strict secure entry procedures which screen all visitors and employees
Secured keyless badge entry system for employees
Security camera system
Intercom and computer alert system interfaced with Centegix
An anonymous "Say Something" reporting system for students

Franklin County Schools has partnered with the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation to provide the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (ARS). Available to students in grades 4–12, the program allows students to confidentially report safety concerns, helping school officials intervene early and prevent potential crises.

Hotlines

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office: 706-384-2525

Say Something 24/7 Hotline: 1-844-5-SAYNOW

Georgia's School Safety Hotline: Make anonymous, confidential reports of drugs, weapons, bullying, threats or other safety concerns about your child's school by calling 1.877.say.stop or 1.877.729.7867

Georgia Bureau of Investigation: Submit tips from your mobile device to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Watchdesk by downloading the See Send App for iPhone and Android devices from the Google Play or the Apple App Store

Human Trafficking Hotline: Make anonymous and confidential reports to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1.888.373.7888. Learn more

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor. Free support is available 27/7.

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System?

It is an age-appropriate, research-informed program that trains youth and adults to recognize warning signs and threats of potential violence and to tell a trusted adult or use the anonymous reporting system via app, website, or telephone hotline. This empowers students, parents, staff, and community members to securely share safety concerns, helping school administrators and law enforcement members to prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm, and other dangerous behaviors.

How does the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System work?

Students and staff can submit a tip about concerning or threatening behaviors through the app, website, or a telephone hotline, 24/7/365. Every submission goes directly to a trained Crisis Counselor. The Crisis Counselor vets the tip, gathers details, then shares the information and next steps with the Franklin County school team and law enforcement (as needed). The team steps in to address the threat and provide solutions. Every district team has trained Say Something response staff that includes social workers, counselors, and administrators.

Say Something is proven to prevent school shootings, suicides, and gun threats, as well as help reduce other acts of violence and victimization like bullying/cyberbullying, self-harm like cutting, drug use, racial conflicts, and more.

How does the system work?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System can be used to report threatening or harmful behavior, harassment, and more. For example, imagine that a student, Thomas, is worried about a friend, Mary, who has been cutting herself. Thomas isn’t sure who he should tell and is afraid of being labeled a "snitch" or, worse, losing his friend. Thomas can anonymously report the concern through the Say Something Anonymous Reporting app, website or through a phone call. He can even share screenshots of social media posts that he may have seen about this. Highly trained crisis counselors immediately take action to ensure Mary is safe and getting the help and support she needs.

What happens to the tip if the individual reporting is threatening to hurt themselves?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System’s National Crisis Center and local Say Something team members are specifically trained to recognize mental and emotional disturbances and effectively manage crisis situations. Depending on district protocols, psychiatric emergencies may be referred to the appropriate community mental health services. Law enforcement may conduct a welfare check.

Do I have to use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System? Does my student?

Using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is completely voluntary.

Who is running this program?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is offered at no cost to schools by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a national nonprofit that was founded and is led by family members whose loved ones were killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in 2012. SHP has trained more than 18 million educators, parents, and students nationwide to recognize the warning signs of potential violence and tell a trusted adult.

How much are we paying for this program?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is provided at no cost by Sandy Hook Promise, thanks to the charitable donations of their national grassroots network and philanthropic partners.

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