BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — Concerns with Apalachee High School’s safety drills surfaced this week.
It has been five months since deputies say a student, Colt Gray, began shot and killed four people on campus and hurt eight others.
Staff sent Channel 2′s Courtney Francisco an e-mail administration sent this week that says January’s intruder drill and February’s severe weather drill will be rescheduled.
“It’s pretty clear we can’t neglect the normal procedures,” said William Philp.
Philp is a parent paying close attention to the recovery process. Georgia law requires public schools to complete one intruder alert drill by Oct. 1 of each year.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
However, Philp said feelings are mixed among families this time. Some said the surprise sights and sounds that come with a drill can cause panic for those who survived that traumatic day Sept. 4.
“With so many kids struggling to heal still, I think, maybe, we should communicate with parents and give them the options to stay home that day,” said Philp.
Barrow County School System said September’s shooting led to lockdowns county-wide, and the state counted that as a completed drill.
The Jan. drill would have been extra, but the district said snow days and weapon detection system training days delayed it.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Little Caesar’s manager defends sign saying suspicious people will be reported to ICE
- Souped up: Man accused of using tomato soup barcode to steal expensive items at Walmart
- Former Chamblee High School employee arrested for sexual battery against 16-year-old student
The administration said they still want to complete a drill as soon as possible, and to ease anxiety, they are considering a seminar drill in which attendants can talk through scenarios and questions together instead of acting out a lockdown.
Leaders are planning to complete that, and a weather drill this month.
“For me and my children, I want it done as soon as possible, but I understand there are other parents who don’t, and I respect them,” said Philp. “I hope the school can let everybody know so they can make the right decision for their children.”
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
