The Fayette Citizen-News Page
Sunday, May 23, 1999
Schools locked down for remainder of year

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Fayette schools will be locked down for the rest of the school year in response to a shooting at Heritage High School in Conyers, Ga.

For the second time in a month, schools were locked down Thursday, and officials decided to extend the lock-down for the rest of the year, said Board of Education executive director of operations Fred Oliver.

Six students were injured in a shooting at Heritage High School in Conyers Thursday morning.

"No threats have been received; however, we are taking every precaution to safeguard our students," said a press release from the Board of Education.

Oliver said school principals are being asked to have teachers and administrators patrol the halls, and school doors will be locked until sessions end for the summer June 4.

As an extra precautionary measure Thursday, recess was suspended at elementary schools as well. The outdoor class Project Adventure also was cancelled for the day at J.C. Booth Middle School.

Schools also were locked down following the shooting at Columbine High School, Littleton, Colo., a month ago Thursday.

In response to the recent trend of threats and violence in the schools, two meetings are scheduled this week to address the issues.

The first meeting will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Starr's Mill High School gymnasium, organized by a group calling itself, Students, Community Against Violence. According to Patricia Walston, one of the group's organizers, questions concerning harassment and violence in school, and related issues will be fielded by panelists including Fayette County school superintendent Dr. John DeCotis; Dwight Foulk, a licensed professional counselor; Barbara Baklaar, vice principal at Rising Starr Middle School; the Rev. Dr. Knox Herndon, and representatives from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Also, state Rep. Kathy Cox of Peachtree City will conduct a town hall meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the public meeting room at the County Administrative Complex. She will accept comment, and answer questions regarding school discipline and safety.


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