February 6, 2026 — As parents, we trust our schools every day with what matters most: our children and their safety. That responsibility goes beyond any single district. Recently, the Cobb County School District took another step forward in keeping that promise to families by hosting the School Safety and Networking Group, a regional collaboration of professionals dedicated to safeguarding schools across metro Atlanta.
The group brings together people behind the scenes who plan, train, and coordinate, so schools are prepared to protect students in the event of an emergency. Neighboring districts, including Fulton, DeKalb, Atlanta Public Schools, Marietta City Schools, Henry, Gwinnett, and Cherokee, are involved, along with state partners from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and, occasionally, the Georgia Department of Education.
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A Shared Commitment to School Safety
Hosting the monthly meeting allows the district to reaffirm its commitment to keeping students safe and families informed by planning and learning from other districts facing similar challenges. Discussions focused on preparedness, coordinated responses, clear communication with parents, and thoughtful efforts. At the heart of this work is a shared understanding that school safety is about protecting children every day, and it requires ongoing attention, flexibility, and open communication with families.
“Bringing together emergency managers, safety directors, and law enforcement partners creates a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to school safety,” said Tessa Rutledge, the Director of Emergency Management for the Cobb County School District. “Each discipline offers unique perspectives. When those are aligned, school districts are in a better position to prevent, prepare, and respond to emergencies.”
Collaboration in Action
Proactive planning means learning from your peers facing similar challenges. Conversations ranged from preparedness and response coordination to communication strategies and recovery considerations. At the heart of the group's work is a shared understanding that safety must be continually reviewed and strengthened. It requires ongoing attention, adaptability, and open communication.
Members remain in regular contact outside of meetings. For families, that means schools are not working in isolation - they are connected, informed, and supported when it matters most.
“At the core of this group and effort, there is a shared commitment to safeguarding our schools,” Rutledge said. “Building strong professional relationships and maintaining open lines of communication ensures we remain proactive and prepared to prevent, mitigate, and respond effectively to any situation that may impact the safety of our students, staff, and community.”
Cobb Shield and a Broader Approach to Safety
That commitment reflects Cobb Schools’ broader approach to safety through Cobb Shield. By participating in regional partnerships, the district strengthens its own practices while contributing to a safer environment for students across metro Atlanta. The School Safety & Networking Group also serves as a reminder that effective emergency management is built on trust. When relationships are established before an incident occurs, coordination during critical moments becomes faster, clearer, and more effective.
“School safety is our top priority, and proactive collaboration is essential to achieving it,” Rutledge said. “These meetings allow us to work alongside our peers to share knowledge, strengthen preparedness efforts, and continuously improve our ability to advance a unified approach to K–12 emergency management and school safety.”
Together, districts across the region are building stronger systems, supporting one another, and reinforcing a shared promise to keep your children safe.
