KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County Schools will have a new interim Chief of Security soon after the school district said its current security chief would step down for a job in the private sector.
The school district said Rebecca "Becky" Wuethrich would start her new job as the interim Chief of Security on Nov. 1. She currently works as the manager of discipline and investigations. She worked with Knox County for around 40 years, starting her career with the Metropolitan Planning Commission before joining the school district in 2011, according to a release from KCS.
The release said Wuethrich has "bonded through the Knox County Sheriff's Office for more than 20 years" and has participated in trainings conducted by the FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership Institute, the Department of Children Services and other school campus safety sessions.
She is replacing Jason Periard, the current Chief of Security. Knox County Schools said he is stepping down to take a job in the private sector.
As chief, Periard oversaw the implementation of new school security policies and technology. Knox County Schools introduced a new app to report safety concerns across the school district and used millions in grant funding to upgrade security at schools. That included installing thousands of feet of perimeter fencing, new bollards, vestibules and "intrusion-resistant window reinforcements."
At the start of the current school year, the district implemented a new threat assessment program that would be used to identify possible threats. He said in an August press conference the new program could be used to address student behavior and help students "move off the path to violence."
He also navigated the implementation of a new state bullying law that mandated schools take action when some incidents are reported.
Knox County Schools said it would conduct a national search for Periard's permanent replacement. That search will be led by the school district's Talent Acquisition Department.