Following the tragic school shooting at Apalachee High School in September 2024, Georgia lawmakers are taking steps to strengthen information-sharing practices between schools, law enforcement, and other agencies in an effort to prevent future incidents.
The incident, where four people were killed, has raised concerns about missed warning signs. Many believe officials failed to recognize the behavioral cues of the 14-year-old shooter. Now, lawmakers, led by House Speaker Jon Burns and Schools Superintendent Richard Woods, are pushing for policies that allow agencies to share more data—such as education records, child welfare information, and juvenile court files. The aim is to create a “red flag” system that could help identify at-risk students before they become violent.
However, privacy advocates are wary of such broad data collection, warning it could lead to invasions of privacy and false alarms. Amelia Vance from the Public Interest Privacy Center points out that profiling students based on records is ineffective and could unfairly target vulnerable populations, including students with disabilities or those involved in social services.
Along with better information sharing, there are calls for increased funding in school safety measures, such as hiring more counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals. Currently, Georgia’s student-to-counselor ratio is much higher than recommended, with 378 students for every counselor. In many areas, mental health services are underutilized due to a lack of access, leaving students without critical support.
The state is also exploring threat assessment teams, which teach schools to evaluate risks and respond appropriately, whether through law enforcement intervention or mental health support. But with limited funding and a shortage of qualified professionals, staffing schools with enough counselors and mental health clinicians remains a challenge.
As Georgia lawmakers reconvene for their annual session, they face pressure to act swiftly to address these gaps in school safety while balancing privacy concerns and the need for effective prevention strategies.
