A New Standard in School Security

At Mount Vernon School, safety is more than a protocol; it’s a culture built on relationships, trust, and foresight. In recent years, the School has developed a security model unlike any other in Sandy Springs, one that thrives on the strength of its connections. Under the leadership of Director of Safety and Security Russ Malsnee, Mount Vernon’s private security team works in close partnership with the Sandy Springs Police Department, Fulton County Police, and Fulton County Marshals to create a network of protection that is both proactive and deeply collaborative.

When Russ Malsnee joined Mount Vernon as Director of Safety and Security in November 2020, he saw an opportunity to reimagine the School’s entire approach to safety. “I knew I needed to build genuine relationships with the officers in our community, because they’re the ones who will respond when we need support,” he explains. What began with casual conversations quickly evolved into intentional collaboration, as Russ forged lasting partnerships with local law enforcement that would become the backbone of Mount Vernon’s security infrastructure.

Those relationships came full circle when Ronald Johnson, formerly a Lieutenant with the Sandy Springs Police Department and now serving as a Reserve Lieutenant, officially joined Mount Vernon’s campus security team full-time, further strengthening the trusted network that protects and supports the School community each day.

Meet Ronald Johnson: Mount Vernon School Safety Officer & Reserve Sandy Springs PD

“My number one job is to protect the people on this campus, and that each day, everybody goes home safely. That is the overall goal,” Ronald explains. With decades of law enforcement experience, a police radio, and direct access to department resources, he ensures that emergencies, from medical incidents to security threats, are addressed instantly.

The relationship-driven model allows for unprecedented rapid response. Russ emphasizes,

“Having a full-time police presence on campus increases our response rate. Anything we need to make happen, Ronald can do immediately.”

Beyond immediate response, Ronald and other officers have undergone extensive, scenario-based training directly on Mount Vernon’s campus as part of the School’s partnership with the Sandy Springs Police Department. Every drill offers an opportunity for officers to become deeply familiar with the unique layout of our school. They have knowledge of every building, hallway, entrance, and exit, considering every possible angle and vantage point. This level of preparation ensures that, should police ever need to enter our campus to address a concern, they can navigate with precision and confidence, minimizing response time and maximizing safety for our entire community.

Russ points out that the human connections behind the strategy are what set Mount Vernon apart. The trust between Mount Vernon’s security team and the Sandy Springs Police Department turns potential challenges into coordinated action, making the campus safer every single day.

At Mount Vernon, safety isn’t just about policies or technology—it’s about people, partnerships, and foresight. By building strong relationships with law enforcement, the school ensures that its students, faculty, and families can focus on learning and growing, confident in the knowledge that their safety is in expert hands.