Atlanta Public Schools has placed an employee at Sarah Smith Elementary School on leave for bringing a firearm to campus, the district confirmed Friday.
In a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, APS said it is investigating an incident involving an employee who brought the weapon to the northwest Atlanta school. A 2014 law allows school districts to decide whether to arm staff members, but most school systems do not.
“(The firearm) was promptly secured, and appropriate steps have been taken in line with the Atlanta Board of Education policy and State of Georgia law, which both prohibit weapons on school campuses,” the statement said. “The individual has been placed on immediate administrative leave during the investigation.”
The employee was not named.
The district said an official informed parents of the incident.
“We are committed to reinforcing our policies and laws to maintain a safe learning environment for all,” the statement added. “While we are unable to share further details at this time due to the ongoing investigation, please know that the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority.”
Schools have been on high alert and many have seen a spike in violent threats since last week’s shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder where two students and two teachers were killed.
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