ACPS Reinforces Safety, Well-Being, and Learning With Divisionwide Initiatives

NEWS RELEASE

(ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Virginia) – As Albemarle County Public Schools prepares to welcome students back for the 2025-26 school year, the division is launching a series of coordinated safety initiatives focused on creating learning environments that are not only safe and welcoming, but also supportive of student growth and success.

This multi-layered approach includes: a divisionwide Personal Device-Free Education policy; continued training in the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and ALICE Method for emergency preparedness; the implementation of daily weapon screening at all three comprehensive high schools; the launch of a new visitor management system at all schools; and expanded School Resource Officer (SRO) coverage across the division’s comprehensive high schools.

“We are committed to making our schools places where every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn,” said Dr. Matthew Haas, Superintendent of Albemarle County Public Schools. “These efforts represent a divisionwide partnership to reduce distractions, build community, and prepare confidently for any situation that may arise. I am proud of the thoughtful work our teams have done to support both safety and student well-being.”

Personal Device-Free Education

ACPS has adopted a divisionwide policy restricting the use of personal communication devices, including cell phones and smartwatches, during the school day for all students in grades K–12. Research shows that in-class device use can negatively affect academic performance, increase stress and social conflict, and reduce student engagement. By limiting these distractions, the policy supports student focus, connection, and well-being. 

Under the new policy, students are expected to store their devices during the school day, meaning devices should not be kept on their person, including in pockets.

Emergency Preparedness: Standard Response Protocol & ALICE

ACPS continues to implement two key emergency response systems across all schools:

• The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) provides clear, consistent language for emergency actions such as holding in place during a medical situation, securing the building for nearby police activity, or evacuating in response to smoke or a gas leak.
• The ALICE Method (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) offers options-based guidance that is introduced in a calm, thoughtful, and age-appropriate way to help students respond effectively in the rare event of a violent critical incident.

All ACPS staff receive regular training on these protocols, and students will review them throughout the year during required safety drills and classroom discussions.

“We’ve built a safety framework that is proactive, inclusive, and empowering,” said Ralph Bradley, Director of School Safety and Security. “Whether it’s helping students understand how to respond in an emergency or creating phone-free classrooms that support mental health and focus, we’re putting student well-being at the center of everything we do.”

Daily Weapon Screening at High Schools

Beginning this fall, Albemarle, Monticello, and Western Albemarle high schools will implement daily screening at building entrances using CEIA OPENGATE® systems. These state-of-the-art devices are non-invasive and designed to detect weapons while minimizing disruption to the school day. Unlike traditional metal detectors, OPENGATE® allows individuals to walk through without stopping or removing personal items, such as backpacks or water bottles, unless additional screening is required.

The rollout will begin shortly after Labor Day and follow a staggered schedule, with each high school implementing daily screening on a school-specific timeline. This initiative is part of the division’s ongoing efforts to enhance school safety and maintain secure, welcoming learning environments.

High school students will receive an orientation on the new system, and trained staff will supervise screening stations to ensure an efficient and respectful experience for all.

Updated Visitor Check-In System

Additionally, this school year, ACPS is rolling out a new visitor management system at all schools: VisitorSafe, powered by Raptor Technologies. This system replaces the division’s previous check-in platform and is part of ACPS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen school safety across all campuses. VisitorSafe enhances the division’s ability to monitor building access while also providing a more efficient, welcoming, and secure check-in process for families, volunteers, and other guests.

School Resource Officer Program Expansion

As part of the division’s adopted 2025-26 budget, ACPS has added two new School Resource Officer (SRO) positions—one at Monticello High School and one at Western Albemarle High School—ensuring dedicated SRO coverage at all three of the division’s comprehensive high schools. SROs serve as trained law enforcement officers, mentors, and safety liaisons, working in partnership with school staff and families to help build trust and promote a safe and inclusive school culture.

The Albemarle County Police Department has completed the hiring process for these two new positions, and placement details are being finalized. Each high school plans to coordinate opportunities for students and families to meet their SRO and learn more about their role in the school community.

Commitment to Safety and Well-Being

These initiatives reflect ACPS’s continued commitment to fostering safe, connected, and student-centered schools. Additional details and resources—including answers to frequently asked questions, a demonstration of the OPENGATE® screening system, and an overview of ACPS’s emergency preparedness protocols—are available on the Office of School Safety and Security website.
 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer A. Butler
Acting Chief Communications Officer 
Office of Communications
Albemarle County Public Schools
(434) 260-4634
communications@k12albemarle.org