Georgia's schools have beefed up security in the wake of the growing number of mass shootings on campuses and other public places.

Schools are offering more training for teachers, upping the number of police officers on campus, and using increasingly advanced surveillance cameras and technology to keep out those intent on inflicting harm, among other efforts.

The changes come at a time of growing anxiety among educators and students, who are being asked to go to greater lengths to protect themselves against shooters – fighting back against would-be attackers and buying security devices meant to keep gunmen out of classrooms.

With this increased focus on security, schools are struggling to find the right balance between protecting students and creating a vibrant, welcoming place of learning, not a Fort Knox-like atmosphere.

To find out more about what metro Atlanta schools are doing, check out MyAJC.com

About the Author

Keep Reading

Devon Horton — pictured speaking at the State of the District Address in March 2024 — has resigned as DeKalb County's school superintendent in the wake of a federal indictment on charges that he accepted kickbacks in his previous job in Illinois. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2024)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Featured

Mathew Palmer, a former Delta Air Lines employee, at his home in Atlanta on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.  Palmer was fired less than two weeks after writing a post on social media about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (Natrice Miller/AJC)