Garrett County Public Schools have been proactive in implementing additional security measures in all
schools over the past six months. New door security hardware and the incorporation of School
Resource Officers (SROs) have been put in place for the opening of schools on Monday, August 26
The school system has placed cameras and video recording equipment, access control door entry
systems, and entry intercoms/buzzers at all schools to provide additional security for the students, staff,
and visitors. Also, the security software will allow for a keyless entry system for all employees and
will allow the schools to be locked at all times during the school day.
Parents and guardians who want to access a particular school will need to ring the buzzer at the front
door entrance. Office staff will communicate through the intercom system and, if approved, will grant
access to the building. A photo identification may be required.
The Garrett County Commissioners have funded two full-time School Resource Officers (SROs) for
the upcoming school year: one for the northern end of the county and one for the southern end.
Sheriff Robert Corley will have the overall responsibility for Lt. Clark Warnick and Deputy Tim
Sanders. Lt. Warnick and Deputy Sanders are full time law enforcement officers of the Garrett County
Sheriff’s office and will have offices in the schools. Their daily law enforcement and educational
activities will be coordinated with the local school administration staff.
Mrs. Cynthia Downton, President of the Garrett County Board of Education, stated, “The safety and
security of our students and staff are paramount to the Board of Education. We appreciate the support
of the Garrett County Commissioners, Garrett County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryland State
Department of Education for their support of these important safety initiatives. In addition to these
measures, we remind our school staff and community members to continue to be vigilant regarding
strangers around school grounds or in our schools.”
