Jones County superintendent assures student safety this school year

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Jones County School’s superintendent is making sure his students are safe when they start school in a few weeks. 

He says the community had several concerns with the recent changes with the state’s gun law, and he wants to clear a few things up. 

As parents begin to register their kids, Superintendent William Mathews is reassuring them their children are in good hands. 

“The people that are going to have weapons on our campus are going to be sworn law enforcement officers,” Mathews said. 

He says parents had questions about the new gun bill, and what it would mean for their family’s safety. 

“More of the concerns we got was this actually could add a little insecurity rather than bring security,” Mathews said. 

The weapons policy of the school system hasn’t changed. You still have to be a good distance away if you want to carry a weapon. 

There are some changes however. 

In the past, if a student was caught with a weapon on school grounds, it was terms for immediate expulsion. Now each incident will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

“The way the law was revised is that it gives some latitude to the school superintendent,” Mathews said.  

He calls it adding common sense to a tough rule. 

Mathews also says the relationship between the school system and the Jones County Sheriff’s Office is a close one, and they’re making sure students are safe while they’re in class. 

“We do check lockers occasionally, just randomly,” he said.

Matthews believes law enforcement and the staff members have a similar role in looking out for the kids. 

“You talk to them building a relationship with our children, it’s the same relationship we want to build, but we’re also here for your best interests,” Mathews said. 

He added he and his staff members haven’t had any incidents, and he hopes to keep it that way.