LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- In the wake of a shooting inside a Georgia High School that killed two students and two teachers, Kentuckiana is reminded of the shootings that have taken place in the two states, and what's changed following these incidents.
In September 2014, Andre Banks shot another student, Javaughntay Burroughs, at Fern Creek High School in Louisville.
Burroughs survived, and Banks later pleaded guilty to first degree Assault, first degree Wanton Endangerment, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession of a Weapon on School Property, Possession of a Handgun by a Minor and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon.
At Noblesville Middle School in central Indiana in May of 2018, then 13-year-old Ella Whistler was shot seven times and critically injured. Jason Seaman was shot three times while stopping the student who fired a gun in his classroom.
In January 2018, two people were shot and killed, and 14 were wounded by gunfire when a student opened fire at Marshall County High School in Kentucky.
Since these incidents, and others, laws have been questioned and changed in both states.
Following the shooting at Marshall County, Kentucky instated a law to require school resource officers in every school.
As of 2024, 67% of schools are in compliance with the law, according to the Office of the State School Security Marshal's annual report. While not 100% of schools are in compliance, it is a 28% increase over last year.
If school districts cannot hire enough school resource officers, they must develop plans to do so with Kentucky's school security marshal.
Ben Wilcox previously served as the state's school security marshal, but retired Sept. 1.
School districts have said funding for SROs has been a challenge.
Kentucky schools must undergo on-site reviews to ensure its compliance with safety requirements, like building security measures and training requirements are met.
Building security measures include ensuring main entrances are controlled with electronically locking doors, cameras, and an intercom system.
"School safety is our top priority and we can't always eliminate any of the threats but we can do everything we can possibly do to make sure that we ensure safety," said Dr. Marty Pollio, Jefferson County Public Schools superintendent. "I've been very proud of what we've done in JCPS especially over the past 24 months which is to implement our JCPS police department.
So we have our own response and are able to get to be at schools and get there quickly when there is a social media threat, which happens all too often across this country."
To see the Office of the State School Security Marshal's complete annual report, click here.
Unlike Kentucky requiring SROs, Indiana requires a trained school safety specialist be in every school. This individual undergoes several days of state training on best nation and state practices to ensure school safety.
While SROs are not required, several school districts in southern Indiana have them.
Indiana also allows districts to opt-in and allow trained teachers to carry guns on school grounds.
Indiana school districts can request state funding for teacher handgun training, reported by FOX59.
School districts that decide to opt-in could allow certified teachers to carry guns on school grounds, according to HB 1177 passed last legislative session. The bill requires school districts to approve allowing staff to carry in the first place before a teacher could carry in the classroom.
Teachers would be required to pass the MMPI-2, a psychological evaluation and 42.5 hours of firearms training with a qualified instructor.
Both states do require annual lockdown drills to happen at least once a year.
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