KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Every school year, Knox County Schools hosts a conference ahead of the first day of class to discuss the school district's safety policies and school security infrastructure.
"Our priorities haven't changed. We continue to believe in the three pieces that make our best strategy. The first is having a highly-trained, armed school security officer in every building. We talked about that, you can't always predict what's going to happen," said Superintendent Jon Rysewyk. "Having individualized safety plans for the unique needs of every school and every school's environment. We have 91 different schools. Every school is in a different setting, so it's not a one-plan-fits-all. And, taking threats seriously."
He said the school district is investing "more than ever" in armed school security officers. Last year, KCS proposed a $600,000 salary increase for officers, bringing starting pay to around $19 per hour. He also said officers could work up the ranks to get raises of up to around $31.67 per hour.
"We're already seeing results in this investment of salaries," said Rysewyk.
He said the school district has around 120 school security officers, not including school resource officers provided by the Knox County Sheriff's Office. He also said security teams tailor security plans to each school.
He also said the school district would use around $7 million in grant funding to make sure schools have "intrusion-resistant window reinforcements" by the end of the school year. He also said the school district is working to improve entry and exit points, using different kinds of improvements for each school.
He said last year, the school district installed more than 17,000 feet of perimeter fencing and aims to reach 50,000 feet of fencing this year. He also said more schools have security bollards. The school district is also using $14.4 million in federal ESSER funds to install vestibules for some schools. Vestibules can act as main entryways where teams may set up different kinds of security elements.
He also said the school district would launch a new "text-a-tip" app, giving people a chance to anonymously share information about possible threats. He said the app would be loaded onto students' laptops, so they could immediately share information with the KCS operations center. Parents and community members will also be able to download the app, Rysewyk said. It will be available on major platforms.
Jason R. Periard, the chief of KCS security, also said the school district chose a threat assessment program that would be used to identify possible threats. He said it could be used to address students' behavior and help students "move off the path to violence." He said teams are trained in every school to help identify and address behavioral concerns.
"Assessing risk as it concerns is only one part of the equation. We need the help of everyone in the community to identify potential pre-incident indicators of violence, and that's why the new text-a-tip system is so important. We are asking all students, staff, parents, and community members that if they have information about potential security or safety concerns to share that info anonymously," he said.
He said all tips would be triaged immediately, and that the app could be used to identify bullying incidents.
The school district also plans to use ParentSquare to give families updates and safety alerts, according to a release from KCS. The platform is sued by schools across the country including Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Fort Wayne Community Schools and more, according to its website.
Knoxville's Chief of Police, Paul Noel, also said police officers would be more visible in school zones as the police department works to increase enforcement on speeding.
