Okaloosa Superintendent Reaches Out to Families After Mass Shooting at High School in Georgia

In the wake of a school shooting that killed two teachers, two students and wounded nine more in Winder, Georgia, Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools, Marcus Chambers, sent a media release to parents, teachers and community leaders to re-affirm the school district’s prioritization of children’s safety at schools.

The mass killing “struck close to home due to athletic competitions between Apalachee and Okaloosa County schools,” said the release, “has left many in the community heartbroken.”

“Our first priority is to provide an educational environment where our students are safe and feel safe to access their education,” Chambers said. Chambers highlighted the district’s partnerships with local law enforcement, including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Okaloosa County Emergency Management Division to reassure readers.

Chambers’ note, which was released on Monday at 1:41 PM, noted that Okaloosa County School District’s Office of Safe Schools plays a critical role in keeping kids safe. He also told readers two School Resource Officers, sworn law enforcement officers who are Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputies, are stationed at every high school in the county.

Chambers noted that new communication systems allow immediate lockdown alerts to originate from anywhere on campus, and advanced camera systems link directly to the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center. In compliance with state law, the district has also implemented a mobile panic alert system connected to 911 for real-time emergency coordination.

In addition to physical safety measures, Chambers emphasized the district’s commitment to mental health support. School-based counseling programs and multidisciplinary teams work with students exhibiting concerning behaviors, helping to ensure both their emotional well-being and academic success.

The district continues to prepare students and staff for emergencies through regular lockdown drills, active assailant training, and hazard-specific response protocols. These drills are conducted in a way that is appropriate for students’ ages to minimize anxiety.

Chambers encouraged parents to talk to their children about reporting potential threats, stressing the importance of vigilance in preventing violence. He urged students to use the FortifyFL App or speak to an adult if they hear or see anything that could pose a risk to school safety.

“Our A+ District, which focuses on the Academics, Arts, and Athletics, is successful because we all support and are focused on the safety and security of our people,” Chambers said.