Alleghany Highlands Public Schools leaders and school resource officers attended the 2026 Virginia School Safety Training Forum and Executive Forum, held July 20-22 in Hampton. Pictured, front row from left, are Mike Browning, Scott Dudding, Sierra Cosby and Dee Ann Tickner. Back row, from left, are Chris Bowles, David Creedon, Courtney Crawford, Tammie Hoke-Looney, Mallory Thompson, Cindy Fox, Lisa Hansford, Sammie Browning and Chris Fisher. (AHPS Photo)
AHPS Leaders Bring New Safety Strategies Home
LOW MOOR — Leaders from Alleghany Highlands Public Schools recently joined educators, law enforcement officials, emergency responders, and community partners from across Virginia for a conference focused on strengthening student success through school safety.
Several AHPS leaders and school resource officers attended the 2026 Virginia School Safety Training Forum and Executive Forum held July 20-22, 2026, in Hampton. The event was attended by school administrators, safety professionals, mental health experts, and community leaders who shared ideas, discussed best practices, and explored new approaches to creating safe learning environments.
Organized by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services through its Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety, the conference focused on important areas of school safety, including emergency planning, behavioral threat assessments, safety audits, crisis response, and collaboration between schools and local agencies. The theme was "Leading the Way to Bring the School Safety Vision into Focus."
AHPS Safety and Security Supervisor Chris Fisher said the conference provided valuable opportunities to learn from experts and connect with other school divisions that are working to strengthen safety efforts.
“School safety is always evolving, and it is important that we continue learning, improving, and working together with our community partners,” Fisher said. “The knowledge and ideas gained from this conference will help us continue building strong safety practices throughout Alleghany Highlands Public Schools.”
Using takeaways from the conference, AHPS will continue reviewing safety procedures, identifying areas for improvement, and exploring opportunities to enhance security throughout the division. AHPS leaders regularly evaluate needs and seek effective ways to help provide safe, supportive environments for students and staff.
The division also continues to pursue grant opportunities and other resources that can support safety improvements, strengthen emergency preparedness, and enhance learning spaces in schools.
“Creating a safe learning environment is an important part of student success,” said Superintendent Kim Halterman “When students feel safe and supported, they are better able to focus on learning, build confidence, and reach their potential. We remain committed to working with our community partners and seeking resources that help us continue improving our schools.”
Fisher emphasized that school safety is a shared responsibility built on ongoing collaboration among schools, families, and community partners. AHPS works closely with several local agencies to strengthen safety efforts, including the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office and the Covington Division of Police, which provide SROs at each school. AHPS also has a school safety committee that meets regularly and brings together people from across the community to review safety practices, address concerns, and identify ways to continue improving school safety.
“Our goal is to provide schools where students, families, and staff feel safe and confident,” Fisher said. “Safety is an ongoing commitment, and we will continue partnering with our community, pursuing opportunities for improvement, and investing in the resources needed to support a positive learning environment for students.”