LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — As students returned to class Wednesday, Lee County Schools officials say new security technology is in place—and a dedicated safety leader is now focused solely on keeping students and staff protected. The district kicked off the 2026-27 school year Aug. 5 with panic buttons installed for every staff member, a renewed focus on monitoring student-teacher relationships, and an explanation for why metal detectors remain off the table—for now. Every Lee County Schools staff member—from teachers and principals to custodians and paraprofessionals—is wearing a panic button badge. Kevin Dowling, the district’s newly appointed Executive Director of School Safety and Discipline, said the badge has two alert levels. Pressing the button three times sends an immediate distress signal to administrators, the front office and the school nurse, along with a triangulated location so responders know exactly where help is needed. Pressing it eight or more times triggers a full school lockdown, with lights in the building changing color to signal the severity of the emergency. “If you push this thing, you keep going—It’s going to lock down the school,” Dowling said. The system was installed in January but Dowling said this will be its first school year in use. Metal detectors have been discussed at the district level, Dowling confirmed but Lee County Schools has not moved forward with them. Speaking on the thoughts of the Lee County community, Dowling said: “There’s a…
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