Huntsville, Madison City Schools prepare for back to school 2024

MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — There is less than a week until students head back to school and that can mean a lot of questions from parents about what to expect for the upcoming semester.

Among the list of parent’s worries is safety. That’s why Huntsville City Schools is taking the next steps to hire more school resource officers and teach awareness about what to look for.

“We’re really educating people of everything we have, so we can communicate better and to try and avoid any situations,” HCS Superintendent Clarence Sutton said.

Madison City Schools is also hiring more security staff and SROs.

“We’re kind of securing those perimeters of the school,” MCS Superintendent Ed Nichols said. “We’re gonna put up gating for those areas, but the security will mainly be on the back side of the school for entrance.”

Besides a few last-minute positions, Sutton and Nichols say that jobs at both school districts are filled.

📲 Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go.
📧 Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox.

“Planning for growth, that’s always a challenge,” Nichols said. “You’re not funded that way in Alabama. So, we tried to get out ahead and we really worked really hard in May and April and June. And we’re in a great place right now.”

“We have a few elementary positions, but very limited,” Sutton told News 19. “So, we’re excited about that. This may be the first time with our busing that we almost have the complete busing staff there.”

Sutton has high hopes as he approaches a second year as Huntsville City Schools Superintendent.

“I just want to build momentum. Just continue to be innovative, continue to support, continue to be inclusive with our community,” Sutton said, “and just really become the Huntsville City Schools that we expect.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.