As Effingham County students head back to class on Aug. 6, the district is launching a new year with a sharpened focus on school safety, including the rollout of high-tech security equipment and continued investment in campus protection.
Among the most visible changes will be new OpenGate weapons detection systems installed at the entrances of all 15 school campuses. The systems will be operational beginning with Open House events on July 31.
“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority every single day,” said Ashley Kieffer, Director of Safety for Effingham County Schools. “As we begin a new school year, we continue to invest in innovative technology and proven practices — such as our new OpenGate weapons detection systems, crisis alert badges, and access control upgrades — to ensure our schools remain secure learning environments. We’re proud of the work we’ve done and will keep pushing forward to protect our campuses and build trust with our community.”
Kieffer and his team are in the final stages of preparing staff for the new systems, conducting trainings and safety meetings across the district.
Expanded safety investments
Effingham County Schools has invested more than $10 million in security upgrades over the past four years, including technology enhancements, infrastructure improvements, and new protocols designed to prevent and respond to emergencies.
“Effingham County is leading the way — both in Georgia and across the nation — in the steps we’ve taken to secure our schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford. “From advanced weapons detection systems to mobile crisis alert technology and strong partnerships with law enforcement, we are fully committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where learning can thrive.”
Each school in the district is equipped with a range of layered safety tools. These include key card access control systems for exterior doors, surveillance cameras covering interior and exterior spaces, and secondary locking devices known as KIST locks installed in classrooms.
School staff wear Centegix Crisis Alert badges, which allow them to instantly signal an emergency. The district also uses Tip411, an anonymous reporting system monitored around the clock by school personnel and law enforcement partners.
Law enforcement partnerships remain central to the district’s safety strategy. Every school has at least one school resource officer on site, and some campuses have two. Officers are provided through partnerships with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Springfield, Guyton and Rincon police departments.
Effingham schools practice all required emergency drills throughout the year, including fire, lockdown and severe weather scenarios. The district’s Safety Department, which includes a director and safety coordinator, is responsible for overseeing planning and response efforts.
State legislation, including House Bill 268, has brought new safety requirements to school systems across Georgia. But Effingham officials say the district’s efforts predate the legislation and far exceed minimum standards. In fact, school leaders say other districts have looked to Effingham as a model.
Supporting safety at home
District officials say parents can play an important role in reinforcing school safety by talking with students about protocols and encouraging them to report suspicious behavior or safety concerns. Discussing emergency scenarios ahead of time can help students feel more confident and prepared.
As another school year begins, district leaders say they will continue to make safety their highest priority — combining technology, training and teamwork to protect every student and staff member.
