Kentucky School Security Marshal says schools fall short in resource officers, mental health counselors

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky's School Security Marshal provided an update to state lawmakers during its Task Force on School and Campus Safety.

In its assessment reviewing the 2023-2024 school year, Ben Wilcox, the state Security Marshal, shared that around 99% of Kentucky schools comply with state mandates and requirement in schools.

The two shortfalls statewide: school resource officers and mental health professionals.

Wilcox said 613 Kentucky campuses are covered by a school resource officer. There are nearly 1,100 campuses.

It is an improvement Wilcox said from the 412 SROs it had in 2019.

"What were the main culprits for not having assigned SRO, majority of course was funding and personnel," Wilcox said.

When it comes to mental health counselors, Wilcox said there is room for improvement there.

Wilcox said the goal is one counselor per 250 students. Right now, Kentucky stands at one counselor per 306 students.

When it comes to adding new technology to achieve school safety, like weapon detectors which Jefferson County Public Schools will install later this month, Wilcox said it's helpful, but low-tech safety measures is what could have helped prevent tragedy in schools like Parkland High School in Florida.

"Our biggest thing is it’s very, very low-tech," Wilcox said. "Watching those exterior doors, closing interior doors during instruction time and having them locked and covering windows."

Wilcox mentioned Kentucky has set a standard for school safety, by creating an enforcement agency that assesses schools. As well as created a tipline and training for SROs.

“I have a lot of emails and phone calls to return from folks across the united states that are chasing what we’re doing here in Kentucky," Wilcox said.