Marietta Schools to Host Town Hall Following Winder School Shooting

Marietta City Schools will host a virtual community town hall on Thursday to address safety concerns following Wednesday’s school shooting at a Winder high school.

At least four people were killed and several more injured after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

“The Winder community is heavy on our hearts and minds today,” Marietta Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera said in an email to staff and families.

Cobb Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale also shared in a statement that his thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected by this senseless violence.

“I am so incredibly thankful for our school district police officers and all first responders who work to shield and protect our students and staff every single day,” Ragsdale said.

Rivera said he will try to answer questions people may have about school safety via webinar Thursday night.

“As the father of two students in MCS, I am sensitive to parents’ desire to know how we intend to proactively and reactively address school safety,” Rivera said. “Equally as important, I am aware that our children may ask questions that are difficult for us as adults to answer.”

While Rivera said he may not be able to divulge all aspects of the school safety plan, he will try to address these dynamics to the best of his ability.

The virtual town hall will be livestreamed from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at https://vimeo.com/event/4554246.

Before and during the webinar, attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions by emailing questions@marietta-city.org.

Those unable to watch live will be able to find the recorded meeting on the Marietta School District’s website: https://www.marietta-city.org/.