Local schools ramp up safety measures for 2022-23 school year

SOUTH CENTRAL, Ky.-Setting a child up for success this school year is more than checking off each item on the school supply list. For local schools across South Central Kentucky… success is safety.

“If students don’t feel safe, then they can’t really learn,” said Barren County Schools Public Relations Assistant Heather Gardner. 

A truth that confronts parents across the nation since the Uvalde, Texas shooting in May that left 21 dead at an elementary school.

Just this year in the U.S., there have been 27 school shootings with injuries or death. 

So what do we need to do to change that narrative?

Locally, schools are ramping up precautionary measures. 

“I feel like we’re going above and beyond to make sure our students are safe,” said Metcalfe County High School Principal Clint Graham. 

Graham said the biggest thing they are improving is access points to the school. 

“We’re looking at entry areas when every guest comes in but not only guests but when students come in, making sure buzzers are working and all safety protocols are followed,” said Graham. 

Across the South Central Kentucky region, Barren County School district is adding more school resource officers. 

“This year we are working to add school resource officers to every campus so that we’re one to one and all of our schools will have a resource officer full time. So that’s a major initiative this year,” said Gardner. 

Barren County also has implemented a tip line, tightly secured electronic access, and threat assessment training. 

Most importantly, they say preventing these situations starts with mental health. 

“We really wanna focus on being proactive. So that we can prevent something like that from happening beforehand. And I think you’re seeing that across the country. Schools are really understanding that they have to address that mental health piece. And to do it there at the school,” said Gardner.