FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
April 30, 2018
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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Alabama Attorney General
AG STEVE MARSHALL PRESENTS AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL
WITH 2017 SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Austin High School is Five-Time Recipient of Award
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall today presented Austin
High School with the Attorney General’s Safe School Initiative Award of Excellence for
Alabama State Board of Education District 6. This is the fifth time Austin High School
has received the distinction. Schools were selected as winners for 2017 from seven*
Alabama State School Board of Education districts, as well as private schools for three
regions of the state.
“In these times, we are all intensely aware of the serious responsibility our
schools carry for the safekeeping of our children,” said Attorney General Marshall.
“Recent events have been heartbreaking reminders that we must remain vigilant and
committed to provide the best protections possible in Alabama’s schools. I am pleased
to carry on this important tradition of the Attorney General’s Office, to recognize
schools throughout our state for dedication and excellence in keeping students safe.
Each day that parents leave their children at school, they are entrusting what they hold
most precious into the care of schoolteachers, principals, school resource officers and
other staff. With these awards, we honor those who have achieved particularly high
standards and set examples that others may follow. We are grateful for their service and
commitment to protecting the children of Alabama.”
In presenting the award today Attorney General Marshall said, “The Attorney
General’s Office is proud that Austin High School was selected as one of the 10 winning
schools in Alabama for 2017. In making this decision, judges noted many things that
distinguished Austin High School: a local computer-aided dispatch system to notify
school officials if a local threat exists, student resource officers equipped with radios so
that communications are not hindered if calls are not functioning through cell phone
towers, and an excellent partnership with the Decatur Police Department that includes
mentoring initiatives.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
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Austin High School Principal Melissa A. Scott Ed. D., said, “It is such an honor to
be awarded the Alabama Safe Schools Award of Excellence by the Attorney General’s
Office. With so many incidents happening at schools across the country, student safety
is a top priority at Austin High School. Due to the type of campus we have, safety at
Austin High is everyone’s responsibility. Students, teachers, staff, parents, the Central
Office, Board and community are all a part of the safe schools initiative here. We are
blessed to have great safety agencies in the City of Decatur and thankful for their
support. The schools have a strong partnership with these agencies and immediate
access to their services. Without their help, we could not do what we do to keep our
students safe.”
Attorney General Marshall is presenting awards for the 2017 Safe School Awards
of Excellence winners to the 10 winning schools during April and May. Other winning
schools throughout the state include Opelika Middle School in Lee County, Pine Level
Elementary School in Autauga County, Satsuma High School in Mobile County,
Nichols-Lawson in Sylacauga, Simmons Middle School in Jefferson County, Bob Jones
High School in Madison County, Sumiton Christian School in Walker County, Coosa
Valley Academy in Shelby County and The Lakeside School in Barbour County.
*Alabama has eight public school districts but no submissions were received from District 4.
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