Winder, GA – Change for Chee is calling on the Barrow County Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff, and Principal Jessica Rehberg to implement urgent preventative safety measures before students return to Apalachee High School on September 24, 2024.

The next Barrow Board of Education meeting isn't until October 1—a full week after students are set to return. By that time, no public input will have been considered regarding student safety, beyond the mere perception of it. No substantial changes have been made to prevent weapons from entering the school. 

The lack of communication from Dr. LeDuff, Principal Rehberg, and the Board with Apalachee families is deeply concerning. Parents' voices are being ignored in these critical conversations about the safety of their children, teachers, and staff.

Immediate preventative measures MUST be implemented before students step back into classrooms—measures that go far beyond simply increasing the presence of school resource officers (SROs) and Georgia State Patrol. Our community deserves more. During this time of uncertainty, we are unwavering in one belief: the safety of our students and teachers is the number ONE priority.

If the phased return plan remains uncertain, students should be given the option of online learning—at least until after Fall Break, October 14. This would allow the Board of Education to meet at their scheduled work session on September 24, followed by the regular session on October 1, where they could engage with the Barrow community to develop concrete safety policies. This would also provide students and teachers additional time to heal from the most traumatic experience a person can endure within what should be the safety of their school.

While long-term plans involving law enforcement are in discussion, there has been NO opportunity for parents to weigh in on short-term safety measures. Parents, students, and teachers are demanding clear bag policies and metal detectors at Apalachee High School and across all Barrow County Schools to ensure students are not just feeling safe, but actually ARE safe. At a minimum, a clear bag policy should be enforced when students return—especially following the tragic act of gun violence that forever altered the lives of everyone in Chee Nation. 

It’s unacceptable that teachers are being asked to use sick leave if they are not emotionally or mentally ready to return after such a traumatic event. Staff are also fearful of losing their jobs for speaking up about their safety concerns. 

It’s equally unacceptable that students will be bused to an offsite location during the planned half-school days, in an already condensed schedule that does not allow for a proper instructional learning day. 

We, at Change for Chee, urge parents, guardians, and the entire community to stand up and demand action NOW. We need real safety measures, and we need them before another tragedy occurs.

This is a call to action for OUR kids, OUR teachers, OUR community, OUR home. 

The Barrow County community has been changed forever. It’s time to say, we need change. Enough is enough.

Reopening without proper policies in place to protect those directly impacted is unacceptable. Help protect the mental, social, and physical well-being of our students and staff. Sign this petition to URGE the Barrow County Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff, and Principal Jessica Rehberg to implement urgent preventative safety measures and delay the return of students and teachers on campus until there is a comprehensive plan in place.