Safety Update

To the Macon County Family,

I want to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information regarding the recent incident at Macon County High School. On the morning of Friday, September 13, 2024, at approximately 6:03 AM, officers from the Montezuma and Oglethorpe Police Departments responded to assist the Macon County Campus Safety Police Department with a property damage incident at the school.

Upon arrival, officers discovered several bullet holes in the Westside entrance door of the building. Thankfully, no students or staff were present when this occurred, and no one was harmed.

As students and staff began arriving at the school, I immediately placed all schools in the district on a soft lockdown, ensuring that everyone remained in their current locations until we fully assessed the situation. Given the potential stress and concern for everyone involved, I decided to dismiss students and staff early that day. I want to reassure you that at no time during the incident was anyone in danger.

As the superintendent of Macon County Schools, I am deeply concerned about this event. The safety of our students, staff, and the entire school community is my top priority. In response to this incident, we are taking additional measures to further enhance the security of our campuses. This includes an increased police presence on and around school grounds. Furthermore, I will be meeting with our district's Safety Team to explore additional ways to improve safety protocols across all buildings.

In addition to physical safety, we are also prioritizing the social and emotional well-being of our students during this time. Our school counselors and support staff will be available to assist students who may need help processing their emotions or dealing with anxiety in the wake of this event. Please encourage your child to reach out if they need support.

Let me be clear: this type of behavior is unacceptable. We will not tolerate any threats to our schools. Once the individual responsible for this act is identified, we will pursue the maximum legal charges. My stance on this is unwavering—anyone who threatens the safety of our schools or anyone within them will face the most severe consequences available under the law.

I fully understand the concerns you may have regarding your child’s safety at school. I want to assure you that, even prior to this incident, we have implemented numerous safety measures to protect all students and staff. Moving forward, we will continue to evaluate and strengthen these procedures. I encourage you to attend our final Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, September 17, at 6:00 PM at Bethel Baptist Church in Marshallville. At this meeting, we will discuss our current safety protocols, and I welcome your questions and input.

We appreciate your support during this challenging time, and we are committed to ensuring that all students return to a safe learning environment on Monday, September 16, 2024.

Sincerely,

Marc Maynor

Superintendent, Macon County Schools – September 15, 2024