Greenville High is one of just eight schools across the state recently honored as an &#8220Alabama Safe School” by the Alabama attorney general's office.

Along with Greenville High, Spain Park High in Hoover, Florence High School, Nichols-Lawson Middle School in Sylacauga, Oak Park Middle School in Decatur, Decatur High School and Huntsville High were chosen for the award.

An independent panel reviewed 36 schools nominated for the award this summer.

It chose the eight to honor, based on several criteria, including the overall strength of the school's safety plan, random drug testing of students and collaboration with law enforcement and emergency services, Joy Patterson of the AG office said.

This is the second consecutive year the local school has been chosen for this honor.

&#8220This award is a testament to the hard work of the school administration and the Greenville Police Department. It is reassuring to know that these entities work closely together to provide our girls and boys with a caring and safe learning environment,” Butler County Schools Superintendent, Mike Looney, said.

&#8220The school principal, Dr. Kathy Murphy, her staff, and the Greenville Police Department have committed themselves to protecting this community's most vulnerable citizens - our children.”

Murphy said she was &#8220extremely excited” to receive the award.

&#8220It was wonderful to get it last year, and to be awarded this honor for a second time is especially a honor. It speaks well of our staff and our school resource officers.”

Attorney General Troy King will be in Greenville in early November to present the award to the school, Murphy said.

&#8220We are looking forward to the AG's visit and a chance to share this trophy with everyone.”