The Pulaski County School Board met for their regular January meeting Tuesday, January 10, and one of the topics discussed and later approved was the formation of a School Security Committee.
The main goal of the committee will be to enhance the already detailed security measures found throughout the school system. The committee will also serve to advise the board on security issues and make recommendations on capital projects that will improve school security and safety on each campus.
PCPS currently conducts regular security audits, as well as walkthrough tours with state and local law enforcement, fire, and emergency management personnel. These agencies work with school administrators to develop school safety plans, ensuring that they are familiar with each school’s layout should they ever need to respond to an emergency there.
“The Pulaski County School Board has been a leader in our region in the area of school safety and security for several years. We were one of the first school divisions in the state to ensure that resource officers are stationed at each campus, were the first school division in our region to have a comprehensive security audit conducted at each school, and have worked diligently to make improvements that address the recommendations provided by these audits. The creation of this committee is another giant step toward making sure that we are utilizing all available resources to make our schools as safe as possible,” stated Dr. Kevin Siers, Pulaski County Superintendent.
The recommendation for the committee included a list of individuals who will meet periodically to evaluate capital plans related to improving school safety and security. That list includes newly elected Pulaski County School Board Chairwoman Beckie Cox and Vice Chair Tim Hurst; Pulaski County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kevin Siers and Assistant Superintendent Chris Stafford; PCPS Director of Operations, Jess Shull; Captain Todd Saunders of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office; Mr. Mike Mooney representing the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors; PCHS Criminal Justice Program leader Jenny Anderson; Critzer Elementary School Principal Anthony Viers; and PCHS Assistant Principal Bryan Ward.
Dr. Siers also stated, “I’m very appreciative of the partnerships that PCPS has established with local law enforcement and our elected leaders to address our school security needs. It seems to be the top priority for everyone in our community and this is not the case everywhere in our state. It is just one more reason why Pulaski County is a great place to live and raise a family.”
The first meeting for the School Security Committee will be held this winter and subsequent meetings will be scheduled as needed.