DeWine issues memo to schools following Georgia shooting

(The Center Square) – In the wake of a Georgia high school shooting that killed four and injured nine, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a memo to school superintendents across the state reminding them of safety options.

The state started the Ohio School Safety program in 2019, spreading safety support personnel across 16 regions covering all 88 counties. The program helps K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and first responders prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats and acts of violence.

“Earlier this week, we saw a horrible, heart-breaking tragedy in Georgia,” DeWine said in a statement. "As many of our kids are in the process of going back to school, I wanted to take the opportunity to remind our school superintendents of the many options – a majority of them at no cost – that the Ohio School Safety Center can provide to their schools in order to help make our schools safer."

The state also offers a tip line to all schools that allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety – whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.

“Thank you for your commitment to Ohio’s students and for helping ensure their safety and wellbeing,” DeWine said in his memo. "I strongly encourage you to utilize the resources we are providing through the training and expertise of the Ohio School Safety Center. We are here to help you and remain dedicated to doing all we can to be a resource to you, our teachers, and other school staff."

DeWine’s memo comes a day after Georgia authorities charged and arrested the 14-year-old shooter’s father and charged him with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.

The shooter, Colt Gray, is charged as an adult with four counts of felony murder following the shooting at Apalachee High School.

Two students and two students were killed.