Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cherokee County reports expanded school‑police staffing, new security upgrades and 262 stop‑arm violations in one-day check
Summary
Chief Buster Cushing told the board the district added six officers (total 35), is upgrading cameras and radios, implemented body cameras and crisis alert changes, and that a transportation exercise recorded 262 vehicles passing stopped buses on one day; staff said many alert activations were training or inadvertent.
Chief Buster Cushing presented the Cherokee County School District's semiannual safety and security update on July 24, describing expanded staffing, technology upgrades and training intended to strengthen preparation, prevention and response.
Cushing said the district has 35 post‑certified school police officers after adding six since October and that staffing ratios provide multiple officers at multi‑building high‑school campuses and coverage at middle and elementary schools. The district has added window security film, upgraded cameras with real‑time access for public safety partners, improved radio connectivity and deployed body cameras for officers.
On transportation enforcement, Cushing said a department exercise on April 30 had 358 bus drivers observe and record vehicles that passed stopped buses; drivers reported 262 violations in Cherokee County on that day. "They reported 262 violations in Cherokee County on a single day," he said. Cushing noted the department submits these results annually to a federal database and is investigating stop‑arm camera options.
Cushing also described the Vector Alert reporting system used by staff, students and community members to submit anonymous tips; the district received "over 800 alerts" during the past school year, he said. He described 870 crisis‑alert activations across 40 schools during the year, most tied to training, medical incidents or minor disruptions; seven activations were inadvertent lockdowns attributed to staff errors and the district plans badge covers to reduce accidental activations.
Board members asked whether buses are equipped with cameras; Cushing confirmed they are. He said the district trains with county public‑safety partners, runs monthly drills and conducts active‑shooter exercises and joint training with Cherokee County law enforcement and fire services.
The presentation concluded with an agenda note that several new security monitors for multi‑building high schools will be on the board's business meeting agenda for approval.
