School safety remains top concern for parents in Knox County

Knox County parent Megan Welch speaks to the KCS Board of Education Thursday to voice her concerns about school safety following threats against the district. (Screenshot)

Knox County Schools (KCS) leaders continued to hear from parents about school safety concerns at Thursday’s regular Board of Education meeting, following last month’s string of threats against district schools that led to several arrests.

During public comments, local parent Megan Welch urged the board to consider installing metal detectors at schools, among other measures to bolster school safety. She said she’s been particularly afraid for her children’s safety in recent weeks following the threats, adding that there have also been several other incidents involving school violence and gun threats throughout the district in previous years. 

“My husband and I, like many other parents across our county, were forced to choose between sending our kids to school when safety could not be guaranteed or keeping them home, where they would lose valuable instruction time. No parent should be put in this position, and no parent should wonder if their child will come home safely from school,” she said.

Welch said she’s written to the board and other “elected officials” about her concerns, adding that she believes metal detectors would add an extra layer of security to prevent students and others from bringing weapons into schools.

Welch also argued that installing metal detectors in district schools “is one of a few solutions that will actually catch a weapon before it enters the building.” She noted that the district has already previously made use of metal detectors at large school-sponsored events to mitigate the risk of mass violence.

“I understand the steps that the state has taken to increase security at school, from funding an SRO at every school, to funding bulletproof glass, to putting up fences around the school perimeter, but the reality is that none of these measures prevents a weapon from entering our school,” she said.  “While I appreciate the efforts that our legislature has made so far and the response across our county [and state] a few weeks ago to mitigate the threats, what has been done so far is not enough.”

Knox County Schools personnel loading up supplies for local flood relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. (Photo from KCS)

Knox County Schools Director Dr. Jon Rysewyk said Thursday that the district is working closely with law enforcement on all levels to hold those responsible for threats accountable. At last week’s meeting, Rysewyk reminded parents and students to report suspicious behavior and concerns about potential school violence via the district’s new Text-To-Tip app.

“Please continue to say something when you see something,” he said. 

In other board-related business, Rysewyk said in a Thursday video update that KCS is assisting other districts in the region that were most impacted by flooding from Hurricane Helene, which state officials said left at least five people dead and 100 missing across East Tennessee.

“This week, our KCS Operations and Maintenance Teams gathered water, food, and supplies to support schools in the hardest hit areas of upper East Tennessee, as part of a coordinated effort with other neighboring districts,” Rysewyk said. 

“I am proud to be part of a team that gives back in times of need and would encourage you to consider supporting the relief efforts organized by our many community organizations on behalf of those affected,” he added. “We can make a difference, so thank you to everyone who has pitched in to help.”