LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Students across Fayette County head back to class Wednesday to begin a new school year.
And with the new year comes a renewed focus on security.
For Fayette County Public Schools, this includes a safety investment plan.
And while heading back to school is a time of excitement, it also presents potential risks, from mental health concerns to even school shootings.
FCPS has developed a 10-point safety plan that includes adding law enforcement officials, monitoring social media and issuing student IDs in all of its schools.
The new plan also calls for upgrading facilities with safety measures such as door alarms and metal detectors.
Some of the upgrades are still being made, but Superintendent Manny Caulk said the schools have made progress on hiring needed personnel.
"We hired 58, a total of 58 law enforcement officers," Caulk said. "We have full-time nurses in our middle school, I'm sorry, in our high schools and looking to expand that down. We also have added more mental health professionals, so as we begin this upcoming school year, that ratio now is 300 students-to-one mental health professional."
These safety measures are in line with the School Safety and Resiliency Act, which was passed earlier this year.
