ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Education announces the new School Safety Domain within the Standards for Effective Governance.
Release:
At its November meeting, the State Board of Education approved the inclusion of a new School Safety Domain within the Standards for Effective Governance of Georgia School Systems. This new domain reinforces and reiterates Georgia’s unwavering commitment to providing safe and supportive learning environments, highlighting the vital role of local governance in ensuring that every school is ready for every student.
The newly adopted domain formally integrates school safety into the standards that guide local boards of education in Georgia, emphasizing that effective governance and safety go hand in hand. It ensures that governance teams focus not only on policy and performance, but also on the essential conditions for learning – including safe and secure environments. The School Safety Domain includes measures such as emergency preparedness, mental health support, and physical safety protocols.
“Every student deserves the right to a safe, caring learning environment. So too do the adults who support them,” State Board of Education Chair Dr. Stan DeJarnett said. “The State Board of Education is proud to add the School Safety Domain to the Standards for Effective Governance of Georgia School Systems, and we appreciate the partnership with the Georgia School Boards Association and the Georgia Department of Education in getting this done.”
“School safety is foundational to everything we do,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods added. “When students and educators feel safe, learning can thrive. The addition of this domain reinforces the vital partnership between state and local leaders, ensuring every governance team keeps the wellbeing of students and staff at the heart of their decisions. I want to thank the State Board of Education for prioritizing safety as part of the requirements for local board member training.”
The development of the School Safety Domain was the result of a collaboration between GaDOE and the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA). This addition will further empower local boards to act as strong governance teams – partnering closely with their superintendents, stakeholders, and communities to uphold both the rights of students and the safety of the learning environment.
“The addition of the Safety Domain to the State Board of Education’s Georgia Standards for Effective Governance underscores our shared responsibility to ensure that every student, educator, and staff member feels secure at school,” said Amy Murphy, GSBA President and Chair of the Bryan County Board of Education. “Effective governance extends beyond policy and performance – it’s about fostering the conditions in which learning can flourish, and safety is the cornerstone of that mission. We commend the State Board and all partners who contributed to this vital work.”
The State Board also highlighted school safety efforts at its October retreat, bringing together state and local leaders to share on-the-ground perspectives to inform the board’s ongoing work. Board member Nicholas Ellis – who represents the First Congressional District and serves as the City Manager and Director of Public Safety for the City of Jesup – moderated the panel, drawing on his own past experience as commanding officer of the Jesup Police Department. Barrow County Schools Chief of Staff Dr. Matt Thompson, Barrow County Fire Chief Brett Skinner, GEMA/HS Deputy Director of Homeland Security Linda Criblez, and GaDOE Assistant Director of Safe and Healthy Schools Mark Muma joined to share their insights.
By formally recognizing safety as a pillar of governance, Georgia reaffirms its ongoing dedication to supporting local districts in fulfilling their most critical responsibility: ensuring students are safe, supported, and ready to learn.
This approval aligns directly with Georgia’s Student Bill of Rights, which asserts that every student has the right to a well-rounded, excellent education in a safe environment.
