Levine: Lockdown drills 'successful'

Superintendent Beverley Levine called Tuesday’s lockdown drills “successful” at the school board meeting that night.

Levine said the last lockdown drill the school system conducted was before the COVID-19 pandemic, so another drill was needed at all four of the county’s schools. 

Schools place their campuses on lockdown, which limits access in and out of the buildings, due to a threat that creates an unsafe environment, according to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. 

Law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians and a state patrol officer went to the county’s primary, elementary, middle and high schools to practice the procedures.

“All the schools did beautifully,” Levine said. “The law enforcement (were) very complimentary.”

In other news:

• The board approved a paraprofessional position for the special needs program at OCPS. With several new pre-K students who have qualified as special needs, the school system is required to hire an additional paraprofessional. 

• The board accepted the November personnel reports. Two substitutes and two ASPIRE program members were approved.

• The board unanimously approved the middle school wrestling team’s day trip to Laurens, South Carolina, in December. 

• Senior Cooper Mattox was recognized as the OCHS November student of the month. Susie Johnson, principal at OCHS, said Mattox is a three-sport athlete who excels in academics. 

• Tonia Willis, OCPS and OCES wellness counselor, gave a presentation on No Place for Hate (NPFH), an anti-defamation education program. Willis said each school was designated as a No Place for Hate school. 

• The board voted to hold off on approving the meeting schedule for 2023 until its December meeting.