LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet released the annual school safety report on Wednesday, which showed more than 99% of Kentucky's 1,325 schools were in compliance with the state's safety requirements for the 2023-24 school year.
Since Gov. Andy Beshear signed the law in 2022, every public school is required to have a school resource officer (SRO).
Since then, the number of full-time SROs across the state has increased to 790 which is a 28% increase from last year, according to State School Security Marshal Ben Wilcox. The report found 858 schools have an assigned SRO, and 467 schools do not.
“All Kentucky families deserve to have their children and loved ones go to school each day and not worry about their safety in the classroom,” Beshear said. “This report shows that Kentucky’s schools are serious about safety, and both as Governor and as a dad, I am thankful for the work school officials have committed to getting us where we are today.”
The Office of the State School Security Marshal found schools were also in compliance regarding electronic-locking front doors, surveillance, locked classroom doors, classroom-window coverings and a threat-assessment team.
“Once again, Kentucky’s schools have shown their commitment to keeping students and teachers safe,” Wilcox said. “Our school resource officers have done an excellent job obtaining their certification to be the first line of defense and keep harm away from our children. On behalf of Kentucky’s parents, I thank them for their work and the dedication they show every day.”
Wilcox said one area in need of improvement is teachers and staff creating a plan for critical incidents, districts need to maintain their emergency operation plans and teachers need to continue to secure classrooms and entrances to the buildings.
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