School Safety Top Priority at Cabot School District

It's been 17 years since Cabot schools received a call threatening the safety of our students and staff. Unfortunately, Junior High South recently received two calls within minutes reporting a bomb “in or near the school.”

That's why meetings like the one that took place Thursday are vital.  Sixteen organizations, with representatives from the Cabot Police Department, Austin Police Department, Ward Police Department, Ward Fire Department, Cabot Fire Department, MEMS, Allied Ambulance Service, Lonoke County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas State Police, City of Cabot and City of Austin along with The Leader and Cabot Star-Herald Newspapers met with Cabot School District officials to discuss school safety.

With more than 10,450 students in the district, 1,600 faculty and staff, more than 90 bus routes and 5,000 students being transported in the morning and 5,000 students in the afternoon, Superintendent Tony Thurman stresses it's essential that everyone works together to ensure safety.   

During the meeting, emergency responders were updated on safety drills, given emergency response binders, crisis management flip charts and transportation safety protocols.

All situations from lockdowns, evacuations, lockouts, bomb threats, earthquakes, fire, hazardous chemicals, missing student/abduction/intruder, suicide and tornadoes were addressed.

The Cabot School District knows parents trust us to take care of your children.  It's something that we do not take lightly.