Knox County Schools outlines security strategies for upcoming school year

Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk holds a press conference Monday to update families on new school safety security measures. (Screenshot/Brandon Paykamian) 

Knox County Schools officials highlighted new security measures and investments to enhance school safety this school year as part of the district’s ongoing “Safe Schools, Safe Students” initiative.

According to Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk and Security Department Chief Jason Periard, who outlined the district’s school safety strategies at a Monday press conference, the school district is staffing “highly trained, armed officers in every school.” They said that this year, the district has 120 school security officers (SSOs) in district schools, as well as school resource officers (SROs) from partner law enforcement agencies.

The district has also launched a new “Text-A-Tip” app to allow anonymous reporting about safety concerns and information for faster response times during school safety emergencies. Rysewyk said parents, students, and community members can download the app through Google Play and soon through the Apple Store.

“We’re making it easier than ever to say something when you see something,” Rysewyk said, adding that the app is monitored 24/7. “The link to Text-A-Tip is already preloaded on every student’s Chromebook.”

In connection with these strategies, the KCS Board of Education recently 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, according to the district announcement. The number of salary steps for SSO’s also increased from 14 to 20, which will allow for increased earnings over their career.

Officials noted that the district is also using an additional $7 million in grant funding to increase security, which includes funding to provide intrusion-resistant window reinforcements to every school by the end of the school year. The district has also 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, according to officials. In addition, more than 25 percent of KCS schools will also begin the year with new, steel-reinforced concrete security bollards that are designed to protect students and staff during pick-up and drop-off.

Officials added that more than 450 KCS staff members completed training for the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) certification for threat assessment, which trains individuals to focus on school safety and provide proactive supports for students. They said the KCS Security Department and school teams at Carter High and Fulton High also recently participated in active shooter drills with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Knoxville Police Department.

The moves by KCS come as other school districts across the state and country also work to enhance school safety, amid growing concerns in recent years about school shootings and violence between students generally.

“We never lose sight of the fact that school safety is essential – for our students and our employees,” Rysewyk said. “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.”