FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
April 6, 2018
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
Alabama Attorney General
AG STEVE MARSHALL PRESENTS SATSUMA HIGH SCHOOL
WITH 2017 SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall today presented Satsuma High School with the
Attorney General’s Safe School Initiative Award of Excellence for Alabama State Board of Education
District 1. Schools were selected as winners for 2017 from seven* Alabama State School Board of
Education districts, as well as private schools for three regions of the state.
“In these times, we are all intensely aware of the serious responsibility our schools carry for the
safekeeping of our children,” said Attorney General Marshall. “Recent events have been heartbreaking
reminders that we must remain vigilant and committed to provide the best protections possible in
Alabama’s schools. I am pleased to carry on this important tradition of the Attorney General’s Office, to
recognize schools throughout our state for dedication and excellence in keeping students safe. Each day
that parents leave their children at school, they are entrusting what they hold most precious into the care
of schoolteachers, principals, school resource officers and other staff. With these awards, we honor those
who have achieved particularly high standards and set examples that others may follow. We are grateful
for their service and commitment to protecting the children of Alabama.”
In presenting the award today Attorney General Marshall said, “The Attorney General’s Office is proud
that Satsuma High School was selected as one of the 10 winning schools in Alabama for 2017. In making
this decision, judges noted many things that distinguished Satsuma High School: a good working
relationship with the local emergency management agency, sharing safety plans with all local emergency
services and selecting students to be trained and participate in school safety teams.”
Satsuma High School Principal Josh Verkouille said, “School safety is of the highest priority at Satsuma
High School. Through detailed planning, training, implementation, and reflection, Satsuma strives to
ensure that existing and potential safety issues are continually addressed and documented. We further
strive to ensure this ‘safety cycle’ is not a strategy but a culture. This culture is complemented by close
relationships with local law enforcement and first-responders. In addition, our school district leaders are
committed to this culture. The priority placed on funding our school resource officer is one example of this commitment. Satsuma High School is honored and humbled to receive an award as prestigious as the Attorney General’s Award of Excellence. This honor will be accepted as a challenge to further cultivate and improve our culture of school safety.”
Attorney General Marshall is presenting awards for the 2017 Safe School Awards of Excellence winners
to the 10 winning schools during April and May. Other winning schools throughout the state include
Opelika Middle School in Lee County, Pine Level Elementary School in Autauga County, Nichols-Lawson
Middle School in Talladega County, Austin High School in Morgan County, Simmons Middle School in
Jefferson County, Bob Jones High School in Madison County, Sumiton Christian School in Walker County,
Coosa Valley Academy in Shelby County and The Lakeside School in Barbour County.
*Alabama has eight public school districts but no submissions were received from District 4.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
