Caverna Independent Schools gain new resource officers

CAVE CITY Ky.-Students of Caverna Elementary, middle and high schools are going to have an extra layer of safety this year. Each school will have resource officers.

Two new school resource officers were named for the Caverna Independent School District, and for the first time, Caverna Middle and high Schools will have a full time resource officer. At the Caverna Redifest event, the officers met with the kids they’ll be working with.

Horse Cave Police Officer Dave Houchens and Cave City Police Officer Rodney Sponhouse both said they’re ready to start serving the students.

“The district is full of some great kids, and when the opportunity became available, I decided to take the opportunity and I’m super excited to get started,” Houchens said.

“I’ve been a police officer for 20 years. I’ve always been on the road, so this is a whole new adventure and I’m excited to get in there,” Sponhouse said.

This new addition to the Caverna School family has received good reception from the staff.

“It’s a good opportunity for students to build those relationships, so we’re just really excited to have them,” Principal for Caverna Elementary School Tina Southwood said.

Both officers are looking forward to engaging with the kids through positive experiences at the schools.

“It’s an opportunity I’m really excited about because the persona of law enforcement today for kids is not where it needs to be,” Houchens said.

Those positive exchanges could lead to some Caverna students choosing a career in law enforcement.

“We need more police officers. I’m hoping this will motivate them and inspire them to become one,” Sponhouse said.