KCS, Law Enforcement Partners Discuss Security Initiatives

Knox County Schools on Monday highlighted new security measures that are being implemented to enhance school safety in the 2024-25 academic year, as part of the district’s ongoing “Safe Schools, Safe Students” initiative.

At a news conference, Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk and Security Department Chief Jason Periard outlined three strategies to keep schools safe:

• Staffing highly trained, armed officers in every school. This year, KCS has 120 School Security Officers (SSO’s) in district schools, as well as School Resource Officers (SRO’s) from partner agencies.
• Individualizing safety plans to meet the specific needs of every school; and
• Launching a new Text-A-Tip app to allow anonymous reporting of safety information and a timely response.

In connection with these strategies, KCS is taking several steps.

• The Board of Education approved $600,000 in salary increases for SSO’s, which means starting pay will increase from $17.24 per hour to $19.16 per hour. The number of salary steps for SSO’s also increased from 14 to 20, which will allow for increased earnings over their career.
• An additional $7 million in grant funding is being allocated to increase security. This includes funding to provide intrusion-resistant window reinforcements to every school by the end of the school year.
• The district has identified a goal of adding 50,000 feet of perimeter fencing at schools, and last year installed more than 17,000 feet of fencing. That work will continue this year.
• More than 25% of our schools will also begin the year with new, steel-reinforced concrete security bollards designed to protect students and staff during pick-up and drop-off.
• More than 450 KCS staff members completed training for the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) certification for threat assessment, training that equips more individuals to focus on school safety and provide proactive supports for students.
• The district is launching a new Text-A-Tip app, and a link has been pre-loaded on every student’s Chromebook. Reports will be monitored on a 24/7 basis by the KCS Operations Center to ensure the district is responding rapidly and intentionally to every notification. In addition, parents, students, and community members can download the app through Google Play and soon through the Apple Store.
• On August 5, the KCS Security Department and school teams at Carter High and Fulton High are participating in active shooter drills with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Knoxville Police Department.

“We never lose sight of the fact that school safety is essential – for our students and our employees,” said Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “As Superintendent, my most important responsibility is maintaining safe and secure environments for every student and every school. I’m grateful for the work of Chief Jason Periard, of the KCS Security Division, along with the strong support of our partners at KCSO and KPD. Working together, they are committed to seeking continuous improvement in every aspect of our security operations.”