Schools review plans in wake of shooting

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
Local school officials are looking at their emergency plans in wake of a deadly school shooting in Madison last week.
Though that case appears to be an isolated, targeted situation, as opposed to a random, mass attack such as the deadly shootings in Columbine, Col., more than 10 years ago, county and city officials want to make sure they are prepared if something were to ever happen on campus.
Discovery Middle School in Madison was locked down last week after a ninth grader was fatally shot in the head by another student.
Franklin County Schools Superintendent Gary Williams said school shootings are unpredictable and believes every school should be ready.
Williams said other measures of prevention have been talked about.
Russellville City Schools Superintendent Don Cox said school systems should stay ahead of the game by going ahead and planning for the worst of situations.
Cox believes some programs have been created to help contain or prevent situations from ever reaching a boiling point.
If a tragic event does occur in school, both Cox and Williams said counselors will be available those who need to talk to someone about what has transpired.
Russellville High School resource officer Lt. Danny Price said there are three officers in the Russellville school system and they are all well trained.
Price said the situation would be a joint effort from all local law enforcement and emergency personnel.
Cox and Williams both feel their plans to handle and to prevent this situation from occurring is strong and will be the best plan to put into motion if something like a shooting event ever occurred in their school systems.