(CITRONELLE, Ala.) In light of Friday's tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, school leaders in Mobile County are taking a look at security in schools here.
While Mobile County's superintendent doesn't plan to make any changes, some school leaders say more could be done to protect our students.
"Certainly our hearts go out to the school system. A senseless shooting is heartbreaking," said Superintendent Martha Peek. While she's as shocked as anyone about the Sandy Hook massacre, she doesn't anticipate making any security changes here as a result of it.
"Our plans are in place. They have been reviewed and it's better for us to remain consistent and not change anything because if we did we'd have to retrain our students," said Peek.
She says every school has a safety plan and performs lockdown drills on a regular basis.
"We remain vigilant everyday," Peek said.
Recently the school board hired a consultant to review safety plans at each school and recommend changes.
But Lott Middle School principal Debbie Altman feels more could be done.
"I think that with funding and maybe some earmarking of some funds that elementary schools could be looked at closer," she said.
For financial reasons, most Mobile County elementary schools don't have security camera systems in place. middle and high schools do.
"McDavid Jones, the large elementary school down the street, with almost 1,000 kids, they are in the process of raising money to purchase a camera system," said Altman.
McDavid Jones has already raised $13,000, but the school needs more donations.
The principal says a full camera system could cost anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000.
