Center for School Safety praises Rockcastle High's student supports but flags cameras, emergency plan and vaping as areas for review
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Summary
A Center for School Safety assessment presented to the Rockcastle County Board reported strong student-adult relationships (88% of responding high school students said they have a trusted adult) and high perceptions of safety (93%+), while recommending closer review of surveillance camera coverage, emergency operations planning and vaping/nicotine responses.
A representative from the Center for School Safety briefed the Rockcastle County Board of Education on a recent assessment and summary report, saying the visit combined surveys, interviews and a physical-plant review.
"908 surveys were returned" and the team "conducted 113 interviews that day on November 10," the assessor (speaker 14) told the board, summarizing the center's process. The assessor said the written report was sent to district leadership and that the center retains a copy; it is subject to open-records requests.
The assessor cited strengths at Rockcastle County High School: "88 percent of high school students who respond, yes, I have a trusted adult," and a perception-of-safety rating above 93 percent among students, parents and teachers. The team also listed areas for consideration, including surveillance camera system coverage, emergency operations plan details (pages 8 and 9 of the written review), exterior signage after construction and a small number of physical-plant items such as a nonworking water fountain and unsecured shelving.
On student health risks, the assessor said vaping and nicotine products remain an unresolved challenge and urged ongoing engagement with students; he said the center can provide focused modified assessments if the district requests them.
The assessor emphasized the report is a snapshot intended to inform local decisions rather than a directive. "You have local knowledge," he told the board, and said the center's role is to provide information, education and training rather than enforcement.
Board members thanked staff for their efforts; the report will remain in the district's possession and be the basis for any follow-up work the board or administration chooses to pursue.
