A veteran Hall County law enforcement officer has been hired as the Safety and Security Manager for Gainesville City Schools. Bonner Burton served nearly three decades with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. He’ll now oversee security operations for Gainesville’s nine public schools.
The Gainesville School System announced in July it would install a new position to increase campus safety and security.
“Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students,” says Dr. Jeremy Williams, Superintendent, of Gainesville City Schools. “Adding this position to our district leadership ensures it remains our priority and continues to evolve with the needs of our community.”
Depth of experience
As Safety and Security Manager, Burton will lead the effort to hire 10 security guards for the school district; one at each elementary and middle school and two guards for the Gainesville High School campus. He’ll oversee logistics and training and will operate under the general supervision of the deputy school superintendent.
Burton comes to the role with a depth of experience. He served as a School Resource Officer at West Hall High School early in his career. Most recently he served as Assistant Division Commander at the Hall County Jail. His other duties ranged from Operations Commander at the Hall County Courthouse to Assistant Commander of Hall County SWAT.
“Having served for 27 years with the Hall County Sheriff’s office, I am proud to use that experience to protect the children of our community,” says Burton.
Another layer of security
Burton will serve as the first line of communication with the Gainesville Police Department and five current School Resources Officers.
“SROs serve a very specific role with the district as contracted services and the security guards are an additional layer of security to our campus grounds and parking lots,” a press release from the school system states.
“Gainesville is leading the way in what I believe will be a model for all schools moving forward,” says Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish. “The partnership between our SROs and campus security is a balance of prevention and intervention that will lead to a safe and productive school campus.”
The Gainesville school system says all of its security guards will be armed and come “with successful security experience.”
