Jefferson County
January 27, 2022 5:00 PM
Special Meeting
I. Call to Order
Rationale

 

Meetings are streamed live and archived through the District's YouTube channel at the following link:JCBE Meeting Videos

 

This meeting will be conducted via video-teleconference pursuant to KRS 61.823 and KRS 61.826. The primary location for this meeting and where all members can be seen and heard by the public will be Stewart Auditorium in the VanHoose Education Center. Members of the Board are permitted to attend in-person or via video-teleconference pursuant to KRS 61.826. Members of the public may attend in-person or watch the live-stream.

Attachments
II. Recommendation for Approval of District School Safety Plan
Rationale

The District has developed a School Safety Plan that addresses key components of creating safe learning environments for students, staff, and visitors in District schools. Effective safety and security measures must be student-centered, research-based, and strategically deployed, to be implemented by highly trained District staff with appropriate accountability and oversight.

The School Safety Plan builds upon ongoing work to create safer schools. Schools are safer when administrators, teachers, and staff work intentionally to:

  • Actively engage students in authentic learning that matters to their sense of self and personal development;

  • Build a culture and climate that foster and sustain attitudes, beliefs, values, and practices that promote success for all students;

  • Make racial equity foundational to all school systems and practices;

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive system of supports to address student mental health, social, and emotional needs, and the roots of student disruptive behavior; and

  • Collaborate closely with appropriately trained and equipped law enforcement professionals to promote and foster a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and the school community.

The JCPS School Safely Plan incorporates the use of two types of new JCPS personnel: School Safety Officers, whose primary domain of responsibility will be outside of school buildings, except in the event of an emergency; and Safety Administrators, whose primary domain of responsibility is within school buildings.

The plan was developed after a comprehensive review of the school security structures used in other large urban school districts, and extensive engagement with parents and community members, stakeholders, JCPS employees, and students. The input received has led to important changes, and has significantly improved the structure and details of the plan.

The JCPS School Safety Plan appears to be unique in structure, deploying both School Safety Officers (SSOs)- armed, sworn law enforcement officers patrolling between schools; and Safety Administrators - highly trained non-law enforcement safety staff within schools.

Safety Administrator(s) will be assigned to each middle and high school, and report to the principal and two will be assigned to each elementary zone and report to the assistant superintendent of that zone. They will be required to undergo extensive, specified District-required training. Safety Administrators will work in collaboration with staff and administrators to:

  • Foster positive school culture and climate;

  • Build relationships of trust with students and employees;

  • Maintain positive relationships with school stakeholders; and

  • Assist with aspects of school safety procedures (i.e., threat assessments, threat monitoring).

A Safety Administrator will not be responsible for student discipline, which will be handled by other administrators, but can play a key role in supporting students to improve their behavior and increase their sense of belonging.

School Safety Officers will serve as armed, sworn law enforcement officers, patrolling a specified geographic zone generally serving 3-7 schools, reporting to the District Security and Investigations Department. They will be required to undergo extensive, specified state-required, and District-required training. An SSO will:

  • Be provided a District-owned vehicle and appropriate equipment;

  • Regularly patrol assigned locations;

  • Protect and maintain safety of students and staff;

  • Respond to crimes and emergencies; and

  • Respond when a school administrator calls at the direction of the Principal.

Board Policy 02.31 School Safety Officers and the related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have undergone extensive review and editing through a public process. The Board Policy Committee finalized these policies and procedures after many meetings over many months. The policy and SOPs offer clear direction to SSOs and Administrators, and establish the manner in which the School Safety Plan must be implemented.

The following are provided for Board approval and review:

  • Job descriptions

  • Organizational Charts

  • Budgeted Project cost

  • Board Policy 02.31 School Safety Officers

  • SSO Standard Operating Procedures – Hiring; Training; Detention or Arrest of Students by an SSO; Equipment; Weapons; Data Reporting

Submitted by: Robert Moore and Chris Perkins

Attachments


Attachments
Recommended Motion

Superintendent Martin Pollio recommends the Board of Education accept a report on the JCPS School Safety Plan; approve JCPS School Safety Plan components - job descriptions, revised organizational charts, and project budgeted cost; receive Board Policy 02.31 School Safety Officers for first reading and submission; and review the JCPS School Safety Plan Standard Operating Procedures.

Actions Taken

Order #2022-19 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Martin Pollio recommends the Board of Education accept a report on the JCPS School Safety Plan; approve JCPS School Safety Plan components - job descriptions, revised organizational charts, and project budgeted cost; receive Board Policy 02.31 School Safety Officers for first reading and submission; and review the JCPS School Safety Plan Standard Operating Procedures. The recommendation passed with a motion by Mr. James Craig and a second by Dr. Christopher Kolb.

III. Adjournment
Actions Taken

Order #2022-20 - Motion Passed:  A motion to adjourn the January 27, 2022, special meeting of the Board of Education at 5:40 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. James Craig and a second by Dr. Corrie Shull.