Hardin County Safe Schools coordinator Kim Atkins told the Hardin County Board of Education that the district has completed major steps to meet requirements of the Safe Schools Resiliency Act and to improve on-campus safety.

Atkins said the district has adopted district trauma-informed education plans, trained more than 300 staff and developed a train-the-trainer group of about 50 staff to sustain those practices. "We've had ongoing training conducted. Every year, we do this with counselors, our fresh coordinators, our school psychologists. We've even trained our SROs in trauma informed care," Atkins said.

The update said the district has placed a full-time school resource officer (SRO) at each of its 19 campuses. "We now have all of our campuses covered. We have 19 campuses in Hardin County, and they are all covered with a full time SRO," Atkins said. She told the board the SROs also participate in work outside school hours, helping on weekends and nights when needed.

Atkins summarized security and preparedness measures the district has added or upgraded: an electronic "Handle With Care" notification system that alerts school staff when a student is exposed to a traumatic event; a districtwide Stop Tip reporting system accessible by QR code and posted magnets for student distribution; 56 new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on campuses; Stop the Bleed kits placed in schools; and additional security cameras and door-lock upgrades.

She said the district is working with Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement on active-shooter training: KSP units visited schools over the summer as part of a three-year rotation so officers and school staff train in each school building rather than only online. "They actually come in and do it in each of their school buildings...it's a whole different feeling when you're in your building having that happen than when you're doing it online," Atkins said.

Atkins described other steps required or recommended under state law and guidance: annual active-shooter training for staff, designation of a Safe Schools coordinator (a role Atkins said Miss Morgan, the board chair, had to appoint), development of threat-assessment teams in each school, and annual security-risk assessments conducted by a state Safe Schools marshal.

Atkins told the board the district has had zero noncompliance findings on unannounced state marshal visits during the last three years. She also described coordination with community partners — police departments, sheriff's office, health providers and local nonprofits — and said the district has contracts with community agencies for school-based therapy and mental-health services.

On student reporting and monitoring, Atkins said the district purchased e-hallpass systems for high schools (data still being collected), window tinting for visibility and safety, and a "school gate guardian" visitor-management system that prints visitor badges and can trigger a panic alert for front office staff.

Atkins closed by thanking board members and community partners for support and by noting the district is continuing to evaluate additional security measures. "Children and staff won't perform their best until they feel safe. So I do appreciate your time, and I appreciate all the help you've given us with Safe Schools initiatives," she said.

Ending: The board did not take any formal vote on the Safe Schools presentation; the item was an informational update from the Safe Schools coordinator and student services team.