Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte marked the first anniversary of the Apalachee High School shooting in Barrow County by issuing a statement that reflected on the impact of the tragedy and reaffirmed his commitment to school safety.
“One year ago, our state was shaken to its core when lives were stolen in the halls of Apalachee High School. Families lost loved ones, and Georgia was reminded of the unthinkable pain that no parent, child teacher or community should ever have to endure. As we honor the memory of those we lost, we must recommit ourselves to the truth that protecting our children cannot be something we only do after tragedy strikes. It must be our constant duty. Georgia has taken bold, practical steps to protect our children, teachers and everyone who sets foot in a school setting. We will continue to listen, learn and legislate with the conviction that school should always be a place of safety, not fear,” Anavitarte said.
In response to last year’s shooting, Anavitarte collaborated with victims’ families, education leaders, and fellow lawmakers in advancing new school safety measures. This led to Governor Brian Kemp signing House Bill 268 earlier this year. Known as “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,” it is named for Coach Ricky Aspinwall—killed during the Apalachee incident—and Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Parkland shooting in Florida. The law aims to strengthen school safety protocols and provide districts with tools for prevention and response.
The state budget also includes increased funding for school security and student well-being. Lawmakers allocated $108.9 million annually in grants for K-12 public schools across Georgia—averaging $47,000 per school—to improve security infrastructure and campus safety. In addition, $47.9 million is dedicated specifically for student mental health programs.
Shayna Aspinwall shared her perspective as both an educator and widow of Coach Ricky Aspinwall: “I am so grateful the state of Georgia has taken this tragedy and continued to make positive changes to ensure our schools are safe for every teacher, student and employee on campus,” she said. “I lost my husband. My daughters lost their dad at the ages of five and two. Students lost a teacher. Players lost a beloved coach. As a teacher myself, I am proud that Ricky and Alyssa’s Law successfully passed in Georgia this year. I am inspired to believe that it is only the beginning of progress and changes to come that ensure that no one suffers a loss like the one my family and I suffered last year. Every teacher and student should be able to walk in a school in the morning and safely walk out in the afternoon to go home to their loved ones.”
Senator Frank Ginn also commented on how last year’s events affected Northeast Georgia: “On September 4th, lives were changed forever in Georgia. All who call this state home were left grieving following an unimaginable school shooting.
No sympathy or statute can bring a child back into a parent’s arms. As a parent who knows what it feels like to lose a child, I will spend my life both as a senator and a father fighting to ease the pain of every grieving community member impacted by that tragic day. I’m proud of the progress our legislature has made through actionable school safety legislation, and I know there will always be more conversations to have and ideas to put into action.”
House Bill 268 officially took effect on July 1, 2025.
