Cullman City Primary School was officially recognized by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall as one of the safest schools in the state Tuesday, Feb. 4.

CCPS, along with five other schools, were named 2024 Safe Schools Initiative Award winners in December as a recognition of the district’s strides toward developing innovative safety programs to minimize the threat of potential violence.

“What we are doing is highlighting one of the best places in the state of Alabama for students to not only go to school but also be able to thrive. We know that when students feel safe, that’s when the classroom environment is enhanced,” Marshall said. “CCPS has made school safety a priority, and your students and your community are better off for it.”

CCPS principal Elizabeth Shaddix thanked the Cullman City School Board during Tuesday’s award ceremony for prioritizing school safety in its most recent five-year strategic plan.

“This process started two years ago when a core team of school faculty attended a safety conference. We identified priorities within our school in regard to safety measures we wanted to implement. In addition, school safety is prioritized in the district’s strategic commitments,” Shaddix said in a press release sent out following the ceremony.

Shaddix also highlighted badge entry and camera systems at CCPS as recent implementations of this strategy.

Marshall said more than 1,500 schools throughout the state engaged in the four-stage application process, which included an in-person campus walkthrough performed by judges familiar with school safety. One of the standout features of CCPS, Marshall said, was its thoroughness in implementing a comprehensive and effective safety plan.

“Your team is one of the most comprehensive in the state. Not only do you include administrators, faculty and students, but you so far as to include your janitorial and cafeteria staff,” Marshall said. “Everybody has to understand they are a part of the team that makes a school safe.”

Marshall also recognized the robust Student Resource Officer program at CCPS, which he believed was critical to improving community relationships with law enforcement. Shaddix said each of the district’s five campuses have one SRO through a partnership with the Cullman City Police Department. However, CCPS and Cullman High School maintain two full-time officers.

“These officers work tirelessly to keep our families, students and teachers safe,” Shaddix said.

CCPS in Cullman is joined by Orange Beach Middle & High School, UMS-Wright Preparatory School, Ladonia Elementary School, Russellville Elementary School and Elvin Hill Elementary School as the six winning schools.

Eight additional schools received a congratulatory letter and certificate from Marshall for exceeding the minimum state requirements and exhibited dedication to student learning, mental health initiatives and safety.

Patrick Camp may be reached by email at patrick.camp@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.