"We are Baldwin, we are proud," a crowd of over 4,000 teachers and staff members chanted at the second-annual Baldwin County Board of Education Teachers Institute pep rally on Aug. 4.

The crowd was comprised of each school feeder pattern, represented by their cheerleaders and mascots, and filled up the floor of the Foley Event Center. The event also showcased a performance by the Daphne High School Lady T step team, Foley High School's "The Noise" and speeches by community representatives and school system staff members to encourage teachers before they took on the first day of school today.

"You are under constant attack every day, but to come out and do what you do for the children, you are the reason for our success," Superintendent Eddie Tyler said. "It is the power of one; we came together, and now they take notice when we speak."

Tyler said that while similar events have been held in the past by district, this is the second year employees from every school in the system were able to gather under one roof.

"What a morning, everyone here at one time," Tyler said. "This is our second year to be in one place at one time; thank you to the city of Foley for letting us be here."

Marty McRae, assistant superintendent of security, athletics and student services, spoke about the security upgrades to expect for the coming school year.

"Safety is an absolute must, and we have 58 total SROs (student resource officers) throughout our system now," McRae said. "These officers have special trainings for school and have been preparing all summer."

McRae also announced a new badge system, an upgraded surveillance system that will be installed in every school in the district.

"These badges are our help mechanism. When you need assistance you just click the button and you have a team coming to help you. Our mission is to see how quickly we can get our teams to you to help with whatever situation you may have," McRae said. "Our board has also approved the purchase of a state-of-art surveillance system that will be going in every school we got, providing the district with all the entail for issues we may have to deal with."

"One of our greatest partnerships is with the Baldwin County Police Department. They oversee our SRO program, and together we will continue to upgrade and make our schools as safe as possible," said McRae as he introduced Baldwin County Sheriff Hoss Mack.

Mack said that while the department hopes to eventually have a presence on every school campus, the SROs have the greatest effect when there is cooperation with the school and the staff.

"Our mission is to provide safety and security, but it starts to have a great effect when you move from mission to ministry with the way you care for and educate these kids," Mack said. "The biggest round of applause today goes to you all, give it to yourself."