Athletics and Safety - Troup County Schools

Welcome to Troup County Schools Athletics and Safety

This department is responsible for overseeing the athletic programs and safety initiatives within the Troup County School System, ensure compliance with regulations, promote student-athlete welfare, and foster a positive and safe athletic environment.

Andrew Calhoun, ext. 1168
Director of Athletics & Safety

Judson Price
Safety Coordinator

Phone: (706) 812-7900

We are proud to serve you and your children as we continually strive to provide a safe learning environment. Each year, we review and evaluate our safety measures to ensure the highest level of security. Please see below for some of our school safety procedures.

Access Control

Understanding that safety is not just one single measure but a comprehensive approach, we recognize the importance of a layered strategy. This involves a series of small steps and significant actions working together to ensure everyone's safety within the building. As part of our ongoing evaluation and enhancement of safety protocols, we have implemented access controls to our buildings. Using this layered approach to secure the building from the outside-in, we aim to improve our overall safety and security. Parents will be "buzzed" into the schools, identify themselves if asked, and stand in front of the camera if requested. Parents must enter through the school's "storefront" (lobby area) and bring identification for all check-out procedures.

Checkmate Visitor Management System

Troup County School District is pleased to announce the use of the Checkmate Visitor Management System in all our schools. This system, part of our comprehensive safety program, will help us identify and screen visitors, contractors, and volunteers, ensuring a safer environment for students and staff. Upon entering a district building, visitors will present an ID such as a Driver’s License, which can be scanned or manually entered into the system. If a parent or guardian does not have a US government-issued ID, any form of identification can be manually entered into the system. The Checkmate system checks names and dates of birth against a national database of registered sex offenders. No other data from the ID is recorded or shared. Once entry is approved, Checkmate issues a badge with the visitor’s name, date, and purpose. The safety of our students is our highest priority. The Checkmate system allows us to quickly identify those who may present a danger.

School Safety and Emergency Drills

To assist in maintaining a safe environment, we practice our emergency and crisis response plans through various drills throughout the school year. This section aims to promote awareness of these drills and explain their significance.

Fire Drills: We conduct a fire drill each month, except during two severe weather months. This is both a Fire Code requirement and a Troup County Schools requirement. It is crucial for each student to understand the importance of this drill when the fire alarm sounds.
Lockdown Drills: Periodic lockdown drills will be conducted to secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff, and visitors inside. As in real-life situations, during a lockdown drill, all doors will be locked until the danger or issue is resolved. No one will be allowed to enter or exit the building until authorities authorize a release.
Severe Weather Drills: Severe weather drills are conducted twice a year to prepare students to move to a secure location within the building in case of severe weather or tornadoes.

Alternate Release Protocol

In an effort to be proactive, the Troup County School District provides the following information to ensure a formalized and controlled means of releasing students to their parents/guardians during significant situations. The process of controlled release is called an Alternate Release Protocol and may be necessary due to weather, power outages, hazardous materials, or crises at the school. Parents will be notified through our School Status Connect announcement system, media, radio, phone calls, text messages and social media. Please ensure we have your correct phone numbers, and if you prefer your cell phone as the primary contact, list it as the first number on the emergency form completed at the beginning of each year. Do not go to your child’s school until a message is sent, ensuring you have the correct location of the Alternate Release Protocol. During an Alternate Release Protocol, please bring identification to streamline the process. Be patient, as the protocol protects the safety of the student and provides an accountable change of custody. Students will only be released to individuals identified as emergency contacts if parents cannot immediately reach the site. Students are asked to be orderly and quiet while waiting and to refrain from excessive texting to keep cellular network usage minimal. Parents should be aware of traffic and emergency vehicles, park as directed, and remain calm. At the Alternate Release site, parents will fill out a card and present ID for verification. The card will be used to retrieve the student from the Student Assembly Area. In some cases, parents may be advised of law enforcement investigations or emergency situations requiring additional steps.

Thank you for your understanding and support in enhancing our school safety protocols.