Walker County School Superintendent  Damon Raines announced in a prepared statement Monday that Lafayette High Coach Norman Hodge has resigned his position.

Hodge was arrested Friday afternoon on charges involving an alleged sexual relationship with a student, reportedly a 17-year-old female. Sources close to the family say the girl's father reported Hodge.  

The Superintendent's statement reads: "An immediate investigation ensued following current school system protocols. The school counselor made a referral to the Department of Family and Child Services for their involvement and then law enforcement was contacted. Hodge resigned as a result of the investigation."  

According to Sheriff Steve Wilson, there are two counts of sexual assault by an authority figure in the case, and Hodge was release Saturday on a $5000 dollar bond. The alleged acts happened off school property, Wilson said.  The Sheriff's Department plans to interview the student, as the investigation continues.

 Hodge, age 42, was a social studies teacher and golf coach. He also is a former Lafayette city councilman, but resigned that posted when he moved his residence out of the city limits. 

Legally, there may be a question as to whether such a case will stand. The Georgia Supreme Court recently ruled that when a teen is older than 16, consent can be used as a defense in cases of sex between teachers and students. Lawmakers in Atlanta are currently working to close that loophole, which freed at least two teachers who were charged with having sex with students.

 Aside from an legal penalties, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission defines having sex with a student as "unethical behavior" for a teacher. Proof of such charges could lead to the commission suspending or revoking a permit to teach in the state. 

WRCB News in Chattanooga recetnly interviewed Penville residents  Diane and Bradley Hartline who told them  the violence at Hays State Prison hasn't scared them off yet.

The couple have lived in Chattooga County for 28 years and since the early 90s with a prison in their backyard.

Diane said she isn't in fear but has seen some uneasy times.

 "Guards come here and tell us to keep our vehicles locked and our doors locked in case we are scared, she said."

Bradley Hartline says the inmates he's met have been respectful.

"Hey, I just talk to them," he says. "They are just like you and me sitting here talking."

 Since late December three inmates were killed and most recently two guards were stabbed on the job, but recently returned to work. 

It's labeled a "Close" security prison meaning the prisoners are at risk of escape or injuring others and requires more supervision. According to the Department of Corrections, a close security prison, is the same thing as a maximum security prison in other states. 

As of Monday Red Cross disaster shelter locations in Bartow and Gordon counties will also serve as Red Cross casework centers for families with emergency needs resulting from significant storm damage to their homes. Residents who cannot live in their homes are being urged to call to set up an appointment to meet with a caseworker or to simply drop by a Red Cross center. Residents whose damaged homes are livable but have other disaster-caused needs are asked being asked  to call and arrange to speak with a Red Cross caseworker.

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Listed on the February 1-4 Arrest Report at the Chattooga County Jail are:

Barbara Jean Becker, Summerville — Failure To Appear

Richard Wayne Becker, Summerville — Court Production Order

Jackie Everett Jarrells, Summerville — Burglary (X2); Probation Violation

Stanley Lovon Lewis, Summerville — Failure to Appear; Court Production Order

David Lucian Rye, Atlanta– Court Production Order

Curtis Damien Smith, Rome — Court Production Order

Steven Markley Stallings, Lyerly — No Charges Listed

Anthony Wayne Trammell, Summerville — Court Production Orde

Jennifer Leann Brown, Summerville — Theft by Shoplifting

Vanella Nicole Brown, Trion — Fleeing/Attempting to Elude Officer; Violation of Conditions of Limited Driving Permit; Expired Tag 

Jeremy Lee Kinsey, Ringgold- Theft by Taking Motor Vehicle

Devan Eric Powell, Summerville — Disorderly Conduct; Underage Possession of Alcohol

Susan Marlene Shaw, Summerville — Forgery 4th Degree

Leavone Dewayne White, Summerville — Disorderly Conduct

Travis Gene Daniel, Chickamauga — Court Production Order 

Jeremy Mark Herod, Macon — Improper/Obstruction/Display of License Plate; False Statements When Registering Motor Vehicle; Driving with Suspended/ Revoked License; No Proof of Insurance;  Possession of Less Than One Ounce of Marijuana; Crossing a Guard Line With Drugs/ Intoxicants/ Weapons

Justin Lamar Hilburn, Lafayette- Court Production Order

Brian John Majerick, Murphy, NC — Failure To Appear/ 2 Counts

Michael Shane Moore, Gaylesville, Al — Hold for Cherokee County 

Tyler William Vanhorn, Menlo — Failure To Appear/ 2 Counts

Kerry Arnell Evans, Summerville — Simple Battery/ Family Violence Act

Kenneth Adano Mack, Summerville — DUI/ Alcohol; Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign 

 Ronald Chris Butts, Summerville — Simple Battery/ Family Violence Act

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According to a report, Georgia ranks 19th in the country in terms of states for government transparency. The study from the Sunshine Review gave Georgia an overall ‘B’ for transparency. The rankings were compiled based on the availability of information on government websites.

The Department of Health and Human Services` Impact Evaluation Report for Head Start study found that the $8 billion program is producing few measurable benefits.

The study found that by the third grade, effects of the Head Start program all but completely disappear.

Many facets of school safety, emergency procedures and parental concerns were discussed at the Community and Schools Safety Summit that was hosted in the Model High School auditorium on Thursday night, but one thing was reiterated by officials: an emergency can happen anytime, anywhere.

Anna Lumpkin, regional school safety coordinator for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, said the Sandy Hook school shootings are forever ingrained in minds across the world, but acts of violence are unpredictable, regardless of any amount of preparation. 

These incidents have “happened before, and they’re going to happen again,” she said. “And most often, we’ve planned for what’s just occurred.” 

Lumpkin said, currently, schools across the state are likely looking at their weather emergency drill strategies, after a tornado tore through Adairsville on Wednesday. 

Lumpkin also said that, while many attribute school shooting to bullying issues, school shooters aren’t always going to be the ones that were bullied. However, bullying prevention in schools is important. 

She also encouraged parents to update their student’s records if a parent contact number changes, in order for the school to be able to contact them in case they’re needed.

She said when things occur at our schools, we have to make sure we’re getting that information from a credible source, adding that impulsive Facebook posting or Tweeting or the like can cause misinformation and unnecessary panic.

Jerry Jennings, a Berry College professor and licensed psychologist, said that, from a mental health standpoint, counseling services, bullying prevention strategies and crisis interventions are being exercised actively at Floyd County Schools. He also said when he’s asked students if they felt safe in their school environments, the answer was unanimously yes. 

However, Jennings stressed that arming teachers and increasing school security to the maximum level so that parents felt better about their children’s safety would spark fear and anxiety in the students. 

Scotty Hancock, director of the Floyd County Emergency Management Agency, said a school system-wide test of the communication radio emergency buttons worked exceptionally well on Thursday and emphasized that the radios would be tested about every month to ensure they work in case of any crisis.