[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT: SCHOOL SAFETY.

IN 2019, ONE YEAR AFTER A DEADLY SCHOOL SHOOTING IN MARSHALL COUNTY, THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED LEGISLATION, REQUIRING KENTUCKY SCHOOLS TO HAVE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS — OR SROS — IF FUNDING WAS AVAILABLE.

BUT FIVE YEARS LATER, MANY SCHOOL SYSTEMS STILL CAN’T AFFORD THEM.

SENATE BILL 2 WOULD LET SCHOOLS BRING IN “GUARDIANS” -- MILITARY VETERANS AND RETIRED POLICE -- TO HELP PROVIDE SECURITY.

WE’LL DISCUSS THAT PROPOSAL, AND MORE, WITH OUR GUESTS.

WE’RE JOINED IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO BY THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 2: STATE SENATOR MAX WISE, A REPUBLICAN FROM CAMPBELLSVILLE; STATE SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS, A DEMOCRAT FROM LEXINGTON AND SENATE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR; RHONDA CALDWELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS; CATHY HOBART, MOMS DEMAND ACTION KENTUCKY CHAPTER LEADER; CHRIS BARRIER, CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE DEPARTMENT; AND RYAN STRAW, KENTUCKY STATE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE VICE PRESIDENT & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CHAIR.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X — FORMERLY TWITTER -- AT K-Y TONIGHT K-E-T.

SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR USE THE WEB FORM AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G SLASH K-Y TONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS.

WE DO HAVE A FUTURE HOUSE TONIGHT AND IT GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW MANY STAKEHOLDERS THERE ARE ON THIS ISSUE AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE BRINGING TOGETHER TONIGHT.

BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT SENATE BILL 2 I WANT TO GO TO Mr.

BARRIER TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SRO'S DO AND WHAT THEY DON'T DO, YOU ARE ONE.

AND I WILL ASK YOU QUESTIONS HOW YOU OPERATE VERSUS THOSE RUN BY OTHER OUTSIDE DEPARTMENTS SHERIFFS DEPARTMENTS.

WHAT DO SRO'S DO?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE.

I AM AN SRO EMPLOYED BY OUR LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION WHICH IS NOT UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY BUT UP-AND-COMING IN KENTUCKY.

THE ROLE THAT I SERVE IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PRIMARILY ONE OF THREE FUNCTIONS: THAT OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AN EDUCATOR OR INFORMAL COUNSELOR OR MENTOR.

AND ANY DAY I CAN SERVE AS ANYONE OF THOSE THREE ROLES IN DIFFERENT TIMES AND LENGTHS IN DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND SITUATIONS.

>> Renee: HOW MANY KIDS HAVE YOU HAD TO CUFF?

YOUR YEARS?

>> I TRY NOT TO CUFF KIDS AT ALL.

IN THE LAST PROBABLY FIVE YEARS I PROBABLY HAVEN'T CUFFED MANY AT ALL.

I FEEL AS THOUGH WE CAN AFFECT OUR JOB WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT KIDS THROUGH HAVING TO CUFF THEM AND IT HELPS KEEP THEIR INTEGRITY IN CHECK AND THAT KIND OF THING, TOO.

>> Renee: I WANTED TO START THERE BECAUSE I WANT US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

SRO'S 40% OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS I BELIEVE LACK SRO'S THERE ARE 800 AND 500 SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT HAVE SRO'S.

SENATOR WISE, MR. CHAIRMAN, IS THIS YOUR GOAL IS TO HEADACHE SURE THAT THERE ARE NOT SRO'S HERE BUT THE GUARADIANS WHICH I WANT YOU TO DEFINE MORE, IS THE SOLUTION?

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

FIRST AND FOREMOST THE BILL IS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND OUR WALLS WITHIN THE SCHOOL WALLS.

IT IS A CONTINUATION OF SENATE BILL ONE FROM 2019 WHICH WE DID IN THE WAKE OF THE TRAGEDY THAT YOU MENTIONED FROM MARSHALL COUNTY.

FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF THAT LEGISLATION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION WE ARE AT THE FIVE YEAR MARK AND WE FELT AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY WITHIN THE SENATE IT'S TIME TO REVISIT THAT.

WE, AS MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES, HAVE MADE A PUSH FOR FUNDING OVER THAT TIME.

WE PASSED A GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION SENATOR THOMAS WILL CONCUR WE HAVE DEMANDED FUNDING AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE FUNDING.

RIGHT NOW WITH US HAVING THE LACK OF SRO'S FOR VARIOUS REASONS, THAT COULD BE BECAUSE OF WORKFORCE, IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF RIGHT NOW WE JUST DON'T HAVE BODIES THAT CAN GO FROM A SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO WORKING FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT.

MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS NOW FORM THEIR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT SUCH AS CHRIS, I KNOW HIM WELL.

WITH THIS ALSO WE ARE IN A BUDGET YEAR WE ARE GOING TO SEE WHAT WE MAYBE ABLE TO DO, WE AS THE LEGISLATURE BODY.

THE HOUSE HAS BEEN PUT IN FUNDING FOR THE SRO'S.

I DO SEE THAT THIS IS A STOPGAP MEASURE WITH USING THE GUARDIANS FOR THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT MAY HAVE AN SRO AT A HIGH SCHOOL, MAYBE A MIDDLE SCHOOL THEY DON'T HAVE THE ELEMENTARY COVERED AND IT IS ANOTHER LAYER OF APPROACH TO PROVIDE FOR SECURITY.

>> Renee: THEY WOULD BE HIRED BY THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT?

THERE WOULD BE COST TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HIRING THEM, CORRECT?

IS IT AS MUCH AS AN SRO?

>> NOT IN TERMS OF THE HIRING PROCESS OF THE COST OF THIS.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS THE SCHOOL BOARD IS MAKING DECISION WHETHER IT WAS A GUARDIAN OR NOT.

THIS IS NOT A MANDATE.

AND THE EXPENSE THAT GOES FORTH LOOKING TO BECOME A GUARDIAN THAT IS DECIDED UPON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IF THEY WISH TO HAVE A STIF EN OR NOT.

THIS IS A STOPGAP MEASURE FOR THE DISTRICTS THAT MAY HAVE A RETIRED STATE TROOPER AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OR VETERAN THAT WOULD HAVE LEFT THE ARMED FORCES WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF TAKING THAT EMPLOYMENT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THERE'S MISINFORMATION WHO IS AFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF THE VETERAN ROLE BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COULD FILL THAT ROLE AS A RETIRED TROOPER, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND ALL ARE POP CERTIFIED EXCEPT FOR THE ARMY DISCHARGED OFFICER.

>> WHAT IS A POP CERTIFIED.

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

RYAN AND CHRIS CAN GET INTO MORE DETAILS ABOUT THAT.

>> Renee: TO YOU Mr.

STRAW, FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE HAS THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BILL IF YOU WANT TO GIVE US MORE INSIGHT FEEL FREE.

>> POPS POLICE OFFICERRAL PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND IT SETS KENTUCKY APART AND WHAT MAKES US GREAT IS ALL THE STANDARDS WE HAVE.

DOCJT IS WORLD RENONED TOP THREE IN THE COUNTRY AS FAR AS POLICE ACADEMY.

SO THE FOP WE HAVE MET WITH SENATOR WISE AND HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT A NUMBER OF THINGS IN THIS BILL.

AND ONE OF THE FOCUSES THAT WE LOOKED AT IS THE BACKLOG RIGHT NOW IN DOCJT TO GET FOLKS INTO CLASSES AND A NUMBER OF TRAINING ISSUES.

AND WE WERE SOMEWHAT CONCERNED A LITTLE BIT THAT AS THE BILL WENT THROUGH, THAT I KNOW WHERE SENATOR WISE'S HEART IS WE HAVE TALKED SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT IT.

BUT I KNOW THAT FOR US AND OUR MEMBERS THAT WE HAVE SRO'S AS WELL THEY LOOKED AND SAID WHY NOT FUND AN SRO PROGRAM.

LET'S JUST DO IT AND GO OUT THERE AND TAKE WHAT WAS GREAT FROM SENATE BILL ONE AND COME IN AND PUT THAT INTO ACTION.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE STOPGAP MEASURE AND WE'VE LOOKED AT THAT.

AND TWO, WE HAD MEMBERS THAT WERE CONFUSED ON THE VETERANS PART.

VETERANS ARE THE BEST OF US.

IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THIS, WE ABSOLUTELY WANT TO HELP FACILITATE THAT BUT THERE IS OPPORTUNITIES.

RIGHT NOW WE TELL PEOPLE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING A POLICE OFFICER STOP BY YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT PICK UP AN APPLICATION BECAUSE THEY ARE HIRING AND WE WOULD LOVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO THAT.

>> Renee: SENATOR THOMAS YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE BILL, TELL US, WHY?

ON WHAT GROUNDS.

>> LET ME BEGIN AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE.

LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING WE ALL WANT OUR SCHOOLS SAFE.

WHEN OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROTECTED THAT THE SCHOOL IS SAFE, THERE IS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT THAT CHILDREN CAN BE PROTECTED.

SO SAFETY IS CERTAINLY FIRST.

BUT, RENEE, I DON'T THINK THIS BILL IS THE BEST APPROACH TO HOW WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE.

AS I'VE SAID SEVERAL TIMES, YOU CAN OVERDO THINGS IN LIFE.

YOU CAN OVERDO THEM AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE DO HERE.

WE HAVE SRO'S AND RIGHT IS RIGHT.

IT'S AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

WE SAY WE WANT YOU TO HAVE THEM BUT WE DON'T FUND THEM.

AND AS YOU NOTED IN YOUR INTRODUCTION, SEVERAL SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE THEM BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THEM.

WHAT WE'VE DONE NOW IS ADD IN ANOTHER LAYER OF SECURITY THAT IN MY OPINION DOESN'T MAKE THE SCHOOL SAFER, IN FACT IT MAKES THE SCHOOLS LESS SAFE.

>> Renee: WHY DOES IT MAKE THEM LESS SAFE?

>> BECAUSE, WHEN KIDS GO TO SCHOOL NOW, NOT ONLY DO THEY SEE SRO'S, BUT THEY COULD SEE GUARDIANS AND MORE PEOPLE THEY DON'T HAVE GUNS.

I DON'T THINK HAVING OUR YOUNG CHILDREN GOING TO SCHOOL AND SEEING PERSON AFTER PERSON HAVE GUNS MAKES THEM FEEL MORE SECURE.

I WOULD SAY IT TO THE CONTRARY.

MAKES THEM FEEL LESS SECURE BECAUSE THEY SEE GUNS EVERYWHERE.

THAT IS NOT AN ENVIRONMENT.

WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO GO TO SCHOOL.

>> Renee: SENATOR WISE CORRECT ME HERE, THE GUARDIANS WOULD GO WITH NO SRO'S WOULD THEY GO IN ADDITION TO SRO'S.

>> IT WILL ALLOW A SCHOOL BOARD TO DECIDE.

THIS IS LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD DECISION AND DISCRETION IF THEY WISH TO HAVE A GUARDIAN WITH AN SRO IS PERMISSIBLE.

THE STOPGAP THE INSTITUTE IS FOR THE DISTRICTS LACKING THAT PERSON THAT HAS THAT SRO FACILITATOR THAT THIS PERSON COULD FILL A GAP WHAT THE SCHOOL IS MISSING.

EASTERN KENTUCKY I HAD A PRINCIPAL IN JOHNSON COUNTY AND SAID I LOVE YOUR BILL.

WE HAVE AN SRO WITHIN OUR COUNTY.

WE DON'T HAVE A SCHOOL THAT IS COVERED THAT IS 18 MINUTES TO GET TO FROM WHERE THE SRO IS.

IF THIS CAN PROVIDE, THIS IS A MATTER OF MINUTES OR SECONDS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN THAT THAT SCHOOL TO BE PROTECTED AND MANY DISTRICTS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DO THIS.

WE'RE HOPEFUL WITH THE BUDGET.

I WANT TO STRESS THAT.

SRO'S ARE OUR GOAL WITH THE INTENTION OF EVERYTHING WE'VE DONE FROM SENATE BILL ONE.

WE CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THAT IS THE GOAL WE WISH TO ACHIEVE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME DISTRICTS WITH FUNDING THAT MAY NOT BE ALLOWED TO COVER EVERY CAMPUS THAT DISTRICT HAS.

IT IS ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX THIS IS ANOTHER WAY TO PROVIDE THAT SECURITY MEASURE.

>> Renee: Dr. CALDWELL YOU REPRESENT SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ACROSS THE STATE WHAT DO THEY SAY ABOUT THE BILL YOUR ASSOCIATION ARE THEY FOR IS IT?

AND HOW DO THEY SEE IT AS BEING A BENEFIT IF IT WERE TO PASS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AND HOSTING ME TONIGHT.

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WE ACTUALLY VETTED THIS PILL IN DEPTH LAST WEEK, AND A LOT OF CONVERSATION AROUND PREFERENCE AND SUPPORT FOR OUR FULLY FUNDING OUR SRO PROGRAMS IN THE STATE.

AS WELL AS COMING BACK TO SENATOR WISE'S COUNSELOR RATIO OF ONE COUNSELOR TO EVERY 250 STUDENTS.

BUT WE ALSO RECOLLECT FIND THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO FUND THOSE ADDITIONAL 500SRO'S.

AND SO WHEN WE DUG INTO THE BILL, LOOK AT IT AS A SENATOR WISE DESCRIBES IT, TRULY A STOPGAP MEASURE THAT MAY WORK VERY WELL FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT IS STRUGGLING TO FUND AND TRULY HAS THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A SCHOOL MIGHT BE VERY RURAL AND THAT ACCESS THAT ACCESS CAN'T HAPPEN IN THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU NEED IT.

>> Renee: ARE YOUR URBAN DISTRICTS SAYING THE SAME?

>> NOT EVERYONE IS AGREEING.

IN TERMS OF AT THE END OF IT WE ARE ALL HOPING FOR THE SUPPORT TO FULLY FUND OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

AND EXTENDING THE CONVERSATION EVEN TO THE ROLE THAT THE CLASSROOM TEACHER PLAYS IN A STUDENT'S ABILITY TO LEARN AND THEIR SAFETY ON A DAILY BASIS AS IT RELATES TO CULTURE AND CLIMATE.

>> Renee: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

THE TEACHER'S ROLE?

>> A HIGHLY QUALIFIED CLASSROOM TEACHER EVERY CLASSROOM IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF KENTUCKY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE ROLE THAT THE CLASSROOM TEACHER PLAYS FOR EVERY SINGLE STUDENT THE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS THAT THEY SPEND HOURS WITH IN A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHER DAY IN AND DAY OUT WILL ACTUALLY WORK WITH STUDENTS AND THAT TEACHER IS TRAINED AND MAKES THE DETERMINATION WHEN A STUDENT NEEDS TO UNDERGO A THREAT ASSESSMENT, SOME TYPE OF EVALUATION.

AND AT AT THAT TIME POINT NOW WE BEGIN TO PULL ALL OF OUR RESOURCES TOGETHER WITHIN THAT SCHOOL FAMILY WHETHER TURNING TO A COUNSELOR, A PSYCHOLOGIST, AN SRO, A PRINCIPAL WHOMEVER IT MIGHT BE IT'S TRULY THAT VILLAGE CONCEPT OF ALL IN FOR SCHOOL SAFETY FOR EVERY SINGLE STUDENT FOR THAT OUTCOME OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT ESPECIALLY AROUND MATH AND READING.

>> Renee: TO YOU MS. HOBART THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME ON THE PROGRAM.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THIS CONVERSATION.

YOU TESTIFIED AGAINST THIS BILL IN COMMITTEE.

TELL US YOUR OPPOSITION?

>> WELL, THE MAIN OPPOSITION THAT I HAVE TO THIS BILL IS THAT WE'RE NOT FOCUSING ON WHAT WOULD ACTUALLY KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE FROM GUN VIOLENCE.

THAT WE HAVE AN ISSUE THAT WE WANT TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN AGAINST A SCHOOL SHOOTER.

LET'S BE FRANK.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT AND WHY WE WANT TO HAVE THAT ARMED GUARDIAN THERE AT THE SCHOOL.

BUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE SOME OTHER MEASURES THAT WE CAN BE TAKING TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE BEFORE IT EVER GETS TO THE SCHOOL DOOR.

WE CANNOT IN OUR OPINION, AS MOMS DEMAND ACTION, THIS IS BASED ON THE EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE, THAT YOU CAN'T PROTECT YOURSELF OUT OF THIS PROBLEM.

THAT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON A DIFFERENT AVENUE.

WHICH IS TO DO THINGS LIKE TO REQUIRE SECURE STORAGE OF GUNS THAT GUN OWNERS NEED TO SECURELY STORE THEIR GUNS.

MANY OF THE SCHOOL SHOOTERS ALL IN KENTUCKY, GOT THEIR GUNS AT HOME OR AT THE HOME OF A RELATIVE.

AND MANY TIMES THOSE GUNS ARE NOT SECURELY STORED AND THAT COULD PREVENT THE GUNS FROM EVER MAKING IT TO THE SCHOOL IF THE ADULTS WHO ACTUALLY HAVE CONTROL OF THOSE GUNS.

WE ALSO THINK THAT BE COULD PASS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HELP TO REMOVE FIREARMS FROM TEMPORARILY FROM PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW ARE IN DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

>> SENATE BILL 13 BY WHITNEY WESTERFIELD.

>> THE MAIN THING WE WANTED TO POINT OUT IS THAT THERE'S NO REAL EVIDENCE THAT AN SRO OR A GUARDIAN WHICH AS FAR AS I KNOW, NO OTHER STATE HAS GUARDIANS, BUT THAT THESE PEOPLE ACTUALLY PREVENT GUN DEATHS AT THE SCHOOLS.

THAT AND THAT THEY CAN OFTENTIMES AS SENATOR THOMAS TALKED ABOUT, THEY CAN LEAD TO ACTUALLY TRAUMATIZING CHILDREN BY MAKING THEM FEEL LIKE THEY ARE LIVING IN A FORTRESS THAT THEY ARE NOT SAFE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE PROTECTED THAT THE BAD GUY IS GOING TO COME IN THROUGH THE DOOR AND HERE IS THIS OTHER GUN TO PROTECT ME FROM THAT.

AND SO I THINK WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT HOLISTICALLY.

AND REALLY START WORKING MUCH FARTHER DOWNSTREAM THAN WHEN THE SHOOTER IS IN THE SCHOOL WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO.

>> Renee: CHAIRMAN WISE DOES FLORIDA HAVE A SIMILAR PROGRAM A GUARDIAN PROGRAM DO THEY HAVE A SIMILAR PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN THE TEMPLATE USED FOR KENTUCKY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IN THE INTERIM WE HAD A SCHOOL SAFETY WORKING GROUP PUT TOGETHER TO LOOK AT FUNDING AND WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE.

FLORIDA'S GUARDIAN PROGRAM WAS FEATURED WHEN WE HAD THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS.

WEST VIRGINIA HAS A GUARDIAN PROGRAM.

SIMILAR SO WE LOOKED AT WHAT THE STATES HAD.

I WILL ALSO SAY, TOO, I KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GUN CONTROL AND I WILL NOT GET OFF ON THE SUBJECT TONIGHT I KNOW WHERE I STAND WITH MY SUPPORT OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND NOT THE RABBIT HOLE OF GUN CONTROL BUT THE APPROACH WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT ALSO.

THERE IS A LOT RIGHT NOW THAT IS CONCERNING OUR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN, SUICIDE.

THIS BILL ADDRESSES THAT.

OUR COUNSELORS OUR SOCIAL WORKERS WHO FULLY SUPPORT THIS BILL.

THEY LIKE THIS BILL BECAUSE IT GOES BACK TO MS. CALDWELL SAID 60% OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS WILL BE FOCUSED ON COUNSELING NOT PAPERWORK NOT BEING A BUS ROOM MONITOR OR LUNCH ROOM MONITOR.

THIS BILL HAS BOTH SIDES APPROACH WE HAVE THE HARD AND THE SOFT APPROACH WE DID THE SAME THING IN SENATE BILL ONE.

>> Renee: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE TRAUMA INFORMED CARE PIECE.

2021 AVERTING SCHOOL VIOLENCE TARGETING REPORT BY THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY THEY TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE KEY INTERVENTIONS AND KEY FINDINGS.

AND THEY MENTION THAT SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

ONE-THIRD OF CASES IN SRO PLAYED A ROLE IN REPORTING THE PLOT OR RESPONDING TO A REPORT MADE BY SOMEONE ELSE BUT THEY ALSO TALK AND THE LAST BULLET POINT STUDENTS HAD ACCESS TO WEAPONS INCLUDING UNIMPEDED ACCESS TO FIREARMS AND THEY MAKE THAT CASE THEY MUST EXAMINE THE ACCESS THAT A STUDENT HAS TO A FIREARM TO COMMIT HARM TO HIMSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.

IS THAT NOT, I KNOW IT IS NOT A GUN CONTROL SHOW TONIGHT, BUT IS THAT NOT A PART OF WHAT KENTUCKY SHOULD BE CONSIDERING OR A BILL LIKE SENATE BILL 13 THAT CHAIRMAN WESTERFIELD HAS PROPOSED THAT IS CRISIS AVERSION RIGHTS RETENTION TO TAKE GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS TEMPORARILY FROM THOSE WHO MIGHT DO HARM TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS?

>> ALSO I'VE READ THAT SECRET SERVICE REPORT AND IT MENTIONS THAT ALL THE SCHOOL SHOOTERS WE HAVE IN OUR HISTORY WERE NEVER PART OF THE SCHOOL ACTIVITY.

SO I WOULD LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK AT THE WHOLE Mr.

BARRIER PLAYS OF MENTORSHIP.

EVERY STUDENT IN THAT HIGH SCHOOL KNOWS CHRIS BARRIER.

THEY LISTEN TO HIM.

THAT IS A MENTOR AND SOMEONE THAT IS THERE TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE.

THAT IS WHAT I LOOK FOR IN AN SRO.

WHEN CHRIS LISTED THE THREE THINGS ONE IS THE MENTORSHIP THAT THE SRO CAN PROVIDE.

THEY NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO THEM.

THERE'S MANY TIMES CHRIS JUST SAYS HEY HOW IS YOUR DAY GOING?

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT AN SRO WOULD FILL THAT ROLE AND TO DO AND THE GUARDIAN ALSO IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO THE TRAINING FOR THIS LET'S NOT GET AWAY FROM THE TRAINING.

>> Renee: IT'S LESS THAN AN SRO.

>> THERE ARE 120 HOURS OF TRAINING OF ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING.

ENHANCED HANDGUN PERFORMANCE.

PATROL RIFLE TRAINING AND SRO LEVEL ONE TRAINING WHICH IS 40 HOURS.

I WILL LET CHRIS GET INTO THAT BUT A MAJORITY IS NOT BEING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IT'S HOW TO BE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND DEAL WITH TODAY'S CHILD.

>> Renee: MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND.

THE GUARDIANS WOULD THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SAME AMOUNT OF TRAINING AS THE SRO'S?

>> THE SRO HAS A LEVEL TWO AND THREE.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION FOR THE GUARDIAN.

BACKGROUND CHECK.

MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION.

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST.

DRUG TESTING.

MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING.

CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT.

ALL THE THINGS PUT INTO PLACE WE ARE NOT SAYING HEY YOU WANT TO BE A GUARDIAN HERE IS YOUR GUN AND PROTECT THE SCHOOL.

THERE ARE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

BESIDES THE HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN EVERYONE IS A POP CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT IS FILLING THAT ROLE.

>> Renee: I DO WANT TO ASK ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE HEARD Mr.

BARRIER THAT THEY'VE UNDERGONE TRAINING IT IS CRISIS INTERVENTION, DEESCALATION EXERCISES WOULD THE GUARDIAN BE SUBJECT TO THAT LEVEL OF TRAINING SO THAT THEY ARE NOT INVOLVING THEMSELVES IN STUDENT ACTIVES THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE.

>> THE SRO BECAUSE THE LEVEL ONE TRAINING CHRIS CAN ANSWER THAT LEVEL ONE, TWO AND THREE.

>> Mr.

BARRIER.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS UNIQUE TO THE TRAINING IN KENTUCKY IS LEVEL ONE IS MORE OF AN INTRODUCTION TO HOW POLICE OFFICERS OPERATE IN SCHOOLS.

HOW DO WE DEESCALATE PROBLEMS AND RECOGNIZE AND UNDERSTAND STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.

SO THAT LEVEL ONE TRAINING FOR THEM IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL.

AND LEVEL TWO AND LEVEL THREE, IT GETS MORE IN-DEPTH AND THERE'S TECHNICAL TRAININGS AND THINGS THAT THAT GUARDIAN WOULDN'T BE SUBJECT TO.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE GUARDIANS ARE NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

THEY DO NOT HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT POWERS THEY DON'T HAVE POWERS OF ARREST AND THAT IS GOOD.

THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD PREFER THEM TO NOT ACT AS POLICE OFFICERS.

BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TRAINED LIKE WE ARE.

SO WE TALKED ABOUT THE POP CERTIFICATION ALMOST EVERYBODY THAT IDENTIFIED IN THIS BILL AS GUARDIANS CAN IF THEY HAVE NOT ONLY CAN OBTAIN THE POP CERTIFICATION EASILY.

>> Renee: Mr.

STRAW WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT GUARDIANS VERSUS SRO'S HOW DOES IT SIT WITH YOU?

>> I THINK I ECHO A LOT OF WHAT SENATOR WISE AND CHIEF IS TALKING ABOUT.

THE ROLE OF AN SRO FOREVER EVEN WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL.

SO LONG AGO OBVIOUSLY.

THEY THE SRO WAS SUCH A KEY COMPONENT LIKE AN EXTENSION OF TEACHER IT WAS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM GRADE SCHOOL UP THE FIRST INTERACTION THEY HAD WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT SRO WHO IS SPECIFICALLY TRAINED TO DEAL WITH THOSE KINDS OF INTERACTIONS.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY SET THE STANDARD FOR WHAT THAT IS GOING TO MEAN AS THAT CHILD GROWS UP.

THEY HAVE A POSITIVE INTERACTION WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AS MUCH AS I WANT THE GUARDIAN TO BE LOOKED AT IN THE SAME WAY THERE IS A CONCERN THE GUARDIAN CAN END UP NOT ABLE TO DO THE SAME THINGS THAT AN SRO CAN DO AND CAN POTENTIALLY GET IN THE WAY.

WE DON'T WANT THEM ARRESTING PEOPLE WE DON'T WANT THEM DOING STUFF LIKE THAT AND I'M GLAD THE BILL DOESN'T DO THAT.

BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING WHAT WE ARE INTENDING IF IT IS A DETERRENT THAT PART OF IT.

AND ALSO I GO BACK AGAIN, IF WE'RE GOING TO TRAIN THEM TO BE INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS AND HAVING THE POSITIVE INTERACTIONS LET'S GET THEM MORE TRAINING AND SETUP TO BE AN SRO.

>> Renee: SENATOR THOMAS ANY THOUGHTS YOU WANT TO WEIGH?

>> I DO.

AND THERE IS A CRITICAL POINT HERE, RENEE.

BECAUSE Mr.

BARRIER, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS PAST SATURDAY MORNING I WAS IN THE COUNTY WITH YOUR SUPERINTENDENT TALKING TO A NUMBER OF STUDENTS.

YOU HAVE EXCELLENT STUDENTS THERE.

I COMMEND YOU AND THE STUDENTS AT MOSTLY SUNNY FOR AND YOUR SUPERINTENDENT FOR ALL THE FINE WORK YOU DO.

BUT TO YOUR POINT, RENEE, WHEN Mr.

BARRIER WAS TALKING ABOUT SRO'S HE MENTIONED THREE QUALITIES.

AND TWO OF THE THREE WAS THE SRO'S ARE EDUCATORS AND COUNSELORS.

GUARDIANS ARE NOT THAT.

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BRINGING IN, RENEE, ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, OR MILITARY INDIVIDUALS.

AND I SUBMIT TO YOU, RENEE, THAT WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING, THE VERY LAST THING WE WANT TO DO WITH OUR EIGHT AND NINE-YEAR-OLDS EVEN OTHER 12 AND 13-YEAR-OLDS IS TO CREATE MILITARY ENCAMPMENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS HAVE MILITARY PEOPLE IN THERE WHO HAVE NO TRAINING WHO ARE NOT EDUCATORS OR COUNSELORS AND THEN BEING ASKED TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS AND LET'S NOT GO TO THE ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION.

JUST ENCOURAGING A STUDENT, A STUDENT WHO IS LOUD OR DISRUPTIVE.

THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

AND YOU HEARD Mr.

BARRIER SAY THAT HE HAS HANDCUFFED FEW STUDENTS.

BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE AND YOUR BACKGROUND IS AS A VETERAN, IN TIMES OF WAR, YOU ARE ASKING FOR A VERY EXPLOSIVE SITUATION HERE.

AS TO ONE THAT A PERSON IS AS SKILLED AS Mr.

BARRIER WOULD KNOW HOW TO DIFFUSE SO IT WOULDN'T GET TO A LEVEL OF CRISIS.

THAT IS THE RISK WE'RE TALKING HERE.

>> Renee: CHAIRMAN?

>> RETIRED STATE TROOPERS NEVER PUT CUFFS ON SOMEBODY.

RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS NEVER DONE THAT.

A FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS NOT DONE THAT YOU LIKE EVERYTHING IN THE BILL BUT THE VETERAN IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING I WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH WHAT WAS SAID.

THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD CAN DO ADDITIONAL TRAINING.

IF THEY WANT TO SEND THEM TO SRO2 AND 3 THEY CAN DO SO.

THEY CAN PROVIDE THAT THERE.

ONCE AGAIN, THE SAFEGUARDS WE HAVE PUT INTO PLACE WITH THIS BILKS I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE TRAINING.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN AND THE PROTECTION OF OUR TEACHERS AND EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT RIGHT NOW WITHOUT COVERAGE WOULD RATHER HAVE SOMEBODY THAT WILL GO THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT IS IN THIS BILL REGARDLESS IF THEY ARE THE HONORABLE DISCHARGED VETERAN OR RETIRED OFFICER.

>> Renee: IT WAS ON THE SENATE FLOOR WHEN YOU PRESENTED THIS BILL FOR A VOTE.

YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE SCHOOL SAFETY AND RESILIENCY ACT OF 2019 ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING THANK GOD.

RIGHT.

BUT YOU DID SAY THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RISE IN STUDENT DISRUPTIONS AND VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS.

THINGS THAT WE'VE HEARD OUR EDUCATORS ON THIS SHOW AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTS TALK ABOUT STUDENT DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD WONDER IS THE GUARDIAN GOING TO BE TRAINED TO BE IN THAT SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY WILL BE CONFRONTED WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE DISRUPTIVE AND PERHAPS CHALLENGING TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY.

>> SO I GO BACK TO ONCE AGAIN, SRO LEVEL ONE TRAINING READ DIRECTLY WHAT IS PROVIDED.

KEY TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE THE FOUNDATIONS OF SCHOOL BASED LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER TEACHER AND MENTOR, MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HANDLE WITH CARE, SCHOOL REUNIFICATION, SOCIAL MEDIA, CYBERSECURITY.

SO THAT IS JUST THAT LEVEL ONE TRAINING AFTER AN SRO.

THE SCHOOL DISCIPLINE ISSUE IS REAL.

WE'VE HAD TO PASS LEGISLATION IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER TO DEAL WITH THIS.

I'M SURE MS. CALDWELL WILL TELL YOU MANY TEACHERS ARE LEAVING BECAUSE OF THAT.

AND I TELL YOU WHAT ELSE OUR YOUTH TODAY HAVE BECOME DESENSITIZED BECAUSE OF VIDEOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THEY CONTINUE TO SEE OF HORRIFIC ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

IT CAN BE FIGHTS THEY SCROLL RIGHT BY IT.

THOSE ARE PROBLEMS.

THIS CLASS WILL GET INTO SOCIAL MEDIA CYBERSTALKING THOSE TYPES OF THINGS ALSO.

ONCE AGAIN, I HAVE FULL FAITH THAT THE PEOPLE THAT WILL GO THROUGH THIS TRAINING WILL BE THERE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

SCHOOL BOARDS CAN DECIDE TO DO THIS OR NOT.

IT IS PERMISSIVE LANGUAGE WE CAN'T FORGET ABOUT THAT.

IF A SCHOOL BOARD DOESN'T LIKE WHO IS APPLYING THEY DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT THEM.

THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO SO.

>> Renee: AND THERE'S RESOURCE IF THE GUARDIAN OR SRO STEPS OUT OF LINE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THROUGH THE TRAINING IF ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS THAT THEY ARE OUT OF LINE, THE KENTUCKY FOR SCHOOL SAFETY WILL LOOK AT THE REQUIREMENTS.

THEY WILL COMMUNICATE BACK TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SAY WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS PERSON IS FIT TO BE A GUARDIAN OR NOT.

>> Renee: WE'VE HAD QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS COME IN AND GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO TAKE A BREATH.

FROM JEFF FROM LOUISVILLE.

HE SAYS QUOTE WE LOST MY BROTHER IN THE OLD NATIONAL BANK SHOOTING LAST APRIL.

MY KIDS ARE IN LOCAL SCHOOLS.

WE ALL WANT OUR KIDS AND COMMUNITIES TO BE SAFE.

MY KIDS HAVE BEEN PART OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS AND HAVE BEEN LOCKDOWN IN THEIR SCHOOLS FOR THREATS.

THE SIGHT OF A WEAPON IN THEIR SCHOOL IS TRIGGERING FOR THE KIDS AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

THERE ARE WARNING SIGNS FOR MASS SHOOTERS.

WHY THIS BILL AND NOT ONE THAT ADDRESSES MENTAL HEALTH?

LIKE SB13, THE CARR BILL WHICH STILL DOES NOT HAVE A HEARING.

I WILL GO TO YOU?

>> I CAN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION AS TO WHY THEY ARE NOT WORKING ON SB13 AND.

>> Renee: WE'LL GET TO THAT PART BUT RESPOND.

>> IT'S TRUE I HEARD IT SAID A FEW MINUTES AGO THAT THE SRO IS THE FIRST EXAMPLE THAT KIDS HAVE OF A POLICE OFFICER OFTENTIMES.

BUT IN MANY COMMUNITIES IN MANY NEIGHBORHOODS, THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH A POLICE OFFICER IS NOT THEIR SRO IT IS NOT THE FRIENDLY GUY LIKE THAT CHRIS IS.

AND SO THEY HAVE -- IT'S GOING TO BE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT KIND OF EXPERIENCE.

AND I THINK WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS ARE EXCEEDINGLY, EXCEEDINGLY RARE.

THE AMOUNTS OF TIMES THAT AN OFFICER ACTUALLY WOULD NEED TO USE THEIR WEAPON IN THE SCHOOL IS SO INFREQUENT AND YET THAT SCHOOL THAT GUN WOULD BE THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THE CHILDREN WOULD KNOW THAT GUN WAS THERE.

WOULD SEE THAT GUN.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES WHERE SRO'S OR OTHER PEOPLE LEFT THEIR WEAPONS UNATTENDED.

THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES IN WHICH GUNS HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED ACCIDENTALLY AND SOMETIMES ON PURPOSE.

THERE WAS ONE SCHOOL WHERE TWO KIDS STOLE THE GUN FROM THE SRO.

SO JUST PUTTING MORE GUNS INTO THE SCHOOLS IS NOT GOING TO MAKE OUR CHILDREN FEEL SAFER OR BE SAFER.

AND WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH OTHER SOLUTIONS TO THESE PROBLEMS.

>> Renee: Mr.

BARRIER RESPOND TO THAT?

>> I CAN TELL YOU FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN MY 15 YEARS IN A SCHOOL AS AN SRO I'VE SEEN THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A STUDENT TELL METH THEY FELT LESS SAFE BECAUSE I WAS THERE WITH A WEAPON.

I KNOW THIS AND I'VE SAID THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO ADMINISTRATORS AND PEOPLE THAT I JUST COME IN CONTACT WITH, STUDENTS ARE NEVER GOING TO LEARN MATH AND ENGLISH UNTIL THEY FEEL SAFE AND LOVED.

AGAIN I'VE NEVER HAD A STUDENT TELL ME HE FEELS LESS SAFE.

IT'S THE OPPOSITE.

I THINK PEOPLE FEEL SAFER WHEN THEY KNOW THERE'S SOMEBODY THERE THAT IS WILLING AND CAPABLE AND COMMITTED TO TAKING AN ACT OF VIOLENCE ON THEMSELVES SO THEY CAN BE PROTECTED.

>> Renee: AND FOR THE RECORD LET'S SET IS STRAIGHT YOU IN IN FAVOR OF GUARDIANS IN SCHOOLS?

>> YES, I HAVE BEEN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT.

THERE WAS A TIME I THOUGHT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO COULD BE IN A SCHOOL WITH A WEAPON IS A CERTIFIED PEACE OFFICER LIKE MYSELF.

AND WE RUN INTO THE SITUATION WHERE WE'RE HUNDREDS OF SRO'S SHORT IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY WHERE WE CAN'T GET FUNDING OR WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH APPLICANTS.

AND THEN I STARTED THINKING WITH SENATOR WISE, YOU KNOW THERE IS SOMEBODY WHO THERE HAS TO BE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE WILLING AND COMMITTED TO THE MISSION AND ARE CAPABLE OF DOING THIS JOB.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE ARE NOW.

AND THERE'S SELECTION CRITERIA THAT QUALIFIES THESE PEOPLE.

THERE'S CRITERIA FOR TRAINING THAT IS MENTIONED AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CAREFULLY SELECT THESE PEOPLE AND PROPERLY TRAIN THEM.

>> Renee: Dr. CALDWELL WHEN YOU HEAR THIS COMMENTARY FROM THIS STILL GRIEVING BROTHER ABOUT LOSING HIS BROTHER IN THE OLD NATIONAL BANK SHOOTING AND TALKING ABOUT THE TRAUMA OF ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS, WHAT DO YOU HEAR FROM ADMINISTRATORS WHO THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT PERHAPS THEY SUPPORT THE BILL, BUT THEY DO HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR SECURITY IN SCHOOL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS A GREAT QUESTION, APPRECIATE HIM FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

BECAUSE THAT WORD TRIGGER IS REAL FOR SOME OF OUR FAMILIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

MY DAUGHTER IS ACTUALLY A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER.

WE HAVE A SIX-YEAR-OLD AND WE TALK A LOT FROM THAT TEACHER PERSPECTIVE THAT ADMINISTRATOR PERSPECTIVE IN TERMS OF THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY THAT WE HAVE TO PRACTICE ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS JUST LIKE WE PRACTICE A FIRE DILL OR A TORNADO DRILL.

UNDERSTANDING THE REALITY WHERE WE ARE TODAY IS WHAT DRIVES ALL OF US IN TERMS OF THE JOB OF SCHOOLING IS EDUCATION.

AND A CHILD HAS TO FEEL SAFE.

GO BACK TO THAT PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY BEFORE HE OR SHE CAN LEARN.

SAFETY IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

AND THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER ABOUT THIS BILL, IN ADDITION TO THE GUARDIAN, ONE IS BEING REMINDED THAT THIS CHILD -- BILL IS ABOUT PREVENTION AND BEING MINDFUL AND THANKFUL TO OUR LEGISLATORS FOR CONTINUING TO BE ON THE PREVENTATIVE SIDE RATHER THAN THE REACTIVE SIDE WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE REMINDED OF A WORKING CONDITIONS SURVEY THAT OUR TWO OF OUR SUPERINTENDENTS IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY JUST RAN LAST SUMMER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EKU.

8800 TEACHERS RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY WITH STUDENT BEHAVIOR BEING THE NUMBER TWO REASON FOR JOB DISSATISFACTION ONLY TO PAY BEING NUMBER ONE.

AND SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT NUMBER TWO, STUDENT BEHAVIOR, AND WE ALSO START TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD HAS GIVEN US A NUMBER OF 84% OF OUR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS CAN'T REGULATE THEIR BEHAVIOR.

AND OUR NUMBERS OF STUDENT BEHAVIOR DISRUPTION CLASSROOM LEARNING CONTINUE TO INCREASE DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

THERE'S SO MUCH PACKED IN HERE IT TAKES EVERY RESOURCE WE HAVE.

AND FINALLY, I THINK IT'S WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THAT ENTIRE SCHOOL ECOSYSTEM, IT IS A LOCAL COMMUNITY THAT IS MAKING THE DECISIONS.

AND ASSESSING THEIR NEEDS DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT IN THIS CONVERSATION TO REMEMBER THAT AT SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT THAT WE HAVE TO TRUST THEM THAT THEY KNOW WHAT IS NEEDED.

AND THAT THEY CAN MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AROUND A GUARDIAN WHETHER A GUARDIAN IS ARMED OR NOT.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE TRIGGERS ARE.

WE HAVE THE ASSESSMENT DATA THAT WE NEED.

UNDERSTANDING THOSE TRIGGERS AND WHAT IS BEST FOR THAT COMMUNITY.

>> Renee: SO THIS QUESTION FROM A VIEWER FROM LUDLOW.

OTHER STATES HAVE SEEN ISSUES WITH SRO'S OR WHERE THEY'VE USED UNDUE FORCE PARTICULARLY AGAINST CHILDREN OF COLOR.

DO WE THINK SOMEONE WITHOUT SPECIALIZED TRAINING WILL BE ABLE TO AVOID THAT PITFALL.

TO YOU SENATOR THOMAS IS THIS A CONCERN?

>> THIS IS WHAT MS. CALDWELL SAID.

BECAUSE SCHOOL DISCIPLINE IS A PROBLEM.

AND TO SENATOR WISE'S CREDIT WE HAVE HAD THE PAST BILL THAT DEALS WITH STUDENT DISCIPLINE AND I VOTED FOR THOSE BILLS.

BUT MY SERIOUS CONCERN WITH WHAT MS. CALDWELL SAID IS THIS... AS WE ALREADY ESTABLISHED, THESE GUARDIANS CANNOT BE CHARACTERIZED AS EDUCATORS, THEY CAN'T BE CHARACTERIZED AS COUNSELORS.

YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OR VETERANS.

NOW YOU BRING THEM TO A SITUATION THAT WE ALREADY ESTABLISHED YOUR PROGRAM ARE UNTRAINED.

AND WE'RE ASKING THEM THE FIRST TIME A STUDENT BECOMES DISRUPTIVE OR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEM THEY HAVE GOT TO COME IN AND ADDRESS THAT.

AGAIN, LET'S PUT THE ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION ASIDE THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT STUDENT.

WITHOUT THEM BEING TRAINED, RENEE, AND LET'S PUT STUDENTS OF COLOR ASIDE, ANY STUDENT, MY BELIEF IT'S MY OPINION THAT THAT OFFICER WILL ENGAGE IN BEHAVIOR, ENGAGE IN CONDUCT THAT IS ONLY GOING TO ACCELERATE OR ENHANCE THE PROBLEM WITH THOSE STUDENTS.

NOT DIFFUSE IT.

THAT OFFICER IS NOT GOING TO BE LIKE Mr.

BARRIER WHO IS TRAINED AND SKILLED AND KNOWS HOW TO DECELERATE A SITUATION.

THAT IS WHY YOU HAVE THAT QUESTION.

THEY RECOGNIZE THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE UNTRAINED GUARDIANS.

THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

>> Renee: I WANT TO GET TO THE CULTURAL COMPETENCY OR RESPONSIVE PIECE FROM THE KENTUCKY CENTER STORE SCHOOL SAFETY THIS IS APRIL 2022 REPORT, THAT WHEN IT COMES TO GENDER 91% ARE MALE.

SRO'S.

5% -- 9% FEMALE.

WHEN IT COMES TO RACE AND ETHNICITY.

91.86% ARE WHITE.

5.4% ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

AND OTHER SLICES HISPANIC AND OTHER MAKEUP LESS THAN 3%.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE KINDS OF GUARDIANS OR SRO'S BEING RECRUITED HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT THE DIVERSITY PIECE BE KEPT IN MIND TO DEAL WITH STUDENTS OF COLOR?

>> RENEE, I GO BACK TO LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS CAN MAKE THE DECISION TO BRING ON A GUARDIAN OR NOT.

IT'S PERMISSIVE LANGUAGE.

EVERYONE APPLYING TO BE A GUARDIAN IT WILL BE DECIDED BY THAT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IN TERMS OF THE APPLICANT POOL, I MEAN, CHRIS MAYBE ANSWER THIS BETTER, I DON'T KNOW RIGHT NOW AND WE DON'T HAVE OUR STATE SECURITY MARSHAL TO ANSWER WHAT ARE WE SEEING?

IS IT LOW NUMBER OF APPLICANTS BECAUSE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT?

IS IT THE FUNDING ISSUE?

ARE WE LOOKING FOR A BIGGER DIVERSITY POOL?

I'M SURE WE LOOK AT THAT IN TERMS OF OUR STATE POLICE HIRING AND IN CERTAIN AREAS IT IS WHAT YOU GET WHO IS APPLYING TO GO INTO THE CERTAIN POSITIONS AND THE MAKEUP OF WHAT THE GUARDIAN MAY BE OR THE SRO MAY BE.

>> Renee: UNLESS ELSE WANT TO COMMENT ON THIS?

>> I THINK THAT IT'S AN OVERALL PROBLEM ARE HIRING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN GENERAL.

WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH HIRING RIGHT NOW.

IT'S HARD TO GET QUALIFIED APPLICANTS.

AND AGAIN THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP AS IS WE CONTINUE TO PUT MONEY TOWARDS HIRING OR TRYING DIFFERENT INITIATIVES BUT SOMEHOW THE STANDARDS CONTINUE TO GET LOWER AND LOWER AND LOWER TO BRING PEOPLE IN THE DOOR.

I KNOW THAT WHEN I APPLIED THE FIRST TIME I REMEMBER IT WAS A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE AND EXPERIENCE AND THERE WERE 300, 500 PEOPLE TESTING FOR ONE OR TWO SPOTS AND NOW YOU'VE GOT DEPARTMENTS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENTS PUTTING OUT APPLICATIONS AND THEY ARE GETTING FOLKS WITH NO OTHER EXPERIENCE NOT EVEN MILITARY EXPERIENCE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

AND THEY HAVE TWO OR THREE OPENINGS AND GETTING 15 OR 16 PEOPLE FOR IT.

ON ONE HAND I SEE WHERE SENATOR WISE IS GOING WITH THIS THIS FILLS A NECESSARY NEED.

YOU NEED SOMEONE TO DO IT.

BUT I GO BACK AGAIN TO THE TRAINING THAT A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CAN GET THE WORLD CLASS TRAINING THAT DOCJT GIVES I WANT TO SEE MORE.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> I WANT TO SEE THEM GET MORE OF THE GOOD TRAINING.

>> Renee: THAT BRINGS UP A QUESTION DOES DESPERATION YIELD TO LOWER QUALIFICATIONS?

AND ARE YOU WILLING TO ACCEPT ANYONE WHO SAYS I WANT TO COME IN A SCHOOL AND BE ARMED?

>> LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS MAKE THAT DECISION IF THEY WISH TO DO THIS OR NOT.

ONCE AGAIN, IF SOMEONE IS APPLYING TO DO THIS, THEY ALSO WANT TO PROTECT KIDS THEY WANT TO PROTECT SCHOOLS.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT DISCUSSION TONIGHT THAT IS WHAT THIS SHOULD BE ABOUT.

AND THE SCHOOL BOARD CAN MAKE THE DECISION IF THEY'VE GOT AN APPLICANT THAT THEY KNOW IS GOING TO FILL A NEED THAT THAT SCHOOL NEEDS IF IT'S EASTERN KENTUCKY, WESTERN, CENTRAL, SOUTH, ALLOW THAT BOARD TO MAKE THAT DECISION IF THAT PERSON IS QUALIFIED THEY WILL GO THROUGH EVERYTHING HERE AS I MENTIONED ALL OF THOSE STEPS.

YOU WILL SEE SOME PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT THIS AND IT'S NOT FOR ME YOU GOT TOO MUCH IN THERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL SAY THAT.

POLYGRAPH, BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION ALL THE MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION.

AS WELL AS THE TRAINING PUT IN HERE SAFEGUARDS AND PARAMETERS YOU WILL HAVE PEOPLE THAT WILL SAY WOW I DID NOT KNOW IT'S THAT MUCH BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IS IN THE BILL.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.

WE DON'T KNOW THE MINDSET OF WHO WE'RE HIRING.

SENATOR WISE MAY BE RIGHT BUT I MAY BE RIGHT.

YOU COULD HAVE A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER RETIRED VETERAN THAT SAYS YOU KNOW, I WANT TO GO BACK OUT AND WORK AGAIN.

AND THEY MAY COME IN AND SAY I'LL COME WORK AS A GUARDIAN AND THEY MAY HAVE THE MINDSET THINKING TO THEMSELVES I'M A HIRED GUN.

I'M HERE THAT WHEN THINGS GET OUT OF CONTROL, I CAN PROTECT THESE STUDENTS.

THEY WON'T SEE THEMSELVES AS AN EDUCATOR OR A COUNSELOR.

OR SOMEONE WHO IS THERE TO HELP STUDENTS.

AND TRY TO LEAD THEM ON THE RIGHT PATH AND TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE HAVING A BAD DAY THEY CAN DEAL WITH THAT.

THEY PROBABLY WON'T SEE THEMSELVES AS THAT AND THAT IS THE RISK WE'RE TALKING HERE.

THAT IS THE BIG RISK.

AND AGAIN I KNOW WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME BUT KATHY IS RIGHT.

YOU CANNOT TAKE REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE OFF THE TABLE.

AND THERE IS A BETTER APPROACH RENEE TO TRY TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF BAD PEOPLE TO BEGIN WITH.

OR WE'RE GOING TO ADD SRO'S AND ANOTHER LAYER OF GUARDIANS WHO KNOWS FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.

DO WE WANT TO GO DOWN THAT SLIPPERY SLOPE?

>> Renee: NATHAN THOMPSON A VIEWER TONIGHT SAYS QUOTE AS A GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVOR OF A SCHOOL SHOOTING I HAVE A GOOD IDEA ABOUT THE REALITIES OF AN ARMED GUNMAN IN A CLASSROOM.

BY CLASSMATES AND I WATCHED AS OUR TEACHER AND JANITOR WERE MURDERED THIS IS THE SINGLE GREATEST MOMENT OF FEAR IN MY LIFE WHAT.

ASSURANCES CAN WE HAVE THAT RETIRED MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT EVEN WITH TRAINING WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE THIS TYPE OF SITUATION IF THEY ARE FACED WITH IT?

>> THERE'S NO PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT CAN COMBAT EVIL.

THERE'S EVIL THAT EXISTS IN THIS WORLD AND THAT IS THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I'VE GOT SO MUCH RESPECT FOR THE TAYLOR COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE WITH THEIR SVO PROGRAM AND I THINK THIS BILL ONCE AGAIN THIS IS POLICY, THAT I THINK THE INTENTION OF THIS IS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO PROTECT OUR KIDS ESPECIALLY THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE ASKING.

WE NEED HELP.

WE'RE HOPING WITH THE BUDGET I WANT TO FOCUS ON THAT.

THE BUDGET THE FOCUS IS ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY LET'S SEE WHAT COMES OUT.

>> Renee: WHAT ARE YOU WANTING?

>> I AM NOT ON THE COMMITTEE.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS.

I THINK THE INTENT WILL BE THIS SESSION, BECAUSE OF UVALDE AND THE SHOOTING IN NASHVILLE YOU WILL SEE THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE STEP UP WHEN IT GOES TO SCHOOL FUNDING IT'S GOING TO BE WITH SRO'S AND THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR SCHOOL SAFETY A LOT OF THINGS WILL BE IN PLACE TO HELP THOSE AGENCIES OUT.

>> Renee: TENNESSEE PASSED A $230 MILLION BUDGET FOR SCHOOL SAFETY IN THE SPRING OF 2023.

WOULD THAT SUFFICE FOR KENTUCKY?

>> I'M TAKE IT.

[LAUGHTER] >> AGREED.

AGREED.

>> Renee: FOR SENATOR WISE, DO YOU THINK SOME DISTRICTS WILL CHOOSE A GUARDIAN OVER AN SRO BECAUSE OF COST NEVER MOVING TOWARDS AN SRO?

>> THE BILL LANGUAGE STATES IN A DISTRICT IS UNABLE TO HIRE ONE SRO CAMPUS, THE DISTRICT CAN CAN WITH AAPPROVAL OF THE SECURITY MARSHAL HIRE A GUARDIAN.

THAT IS A MEASURE IN PLACE.

MY GOAL AND I THINK THE GOAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS THAT THE SRO WILL ALWAYS BE THE GOAL FOR A CAMPUS TO HAVE.

I THINK CHRIS WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

THAT IS THE GOAL.

HOWEVER, THIS DOES ALSO ALLOW FOR A DISTRICT THAT HAS MAYBE MET THE GOAL OF ONE SRO THAT THEY COULD HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO HIRE ADDITIONAL GUARDIANS IF THEY FEEL FIT.

>> Renee: GETTING BACK TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY FUNDING.

THE STATE ALLOCATION HAS FLUCTUATED BETWEEN 10 MILLION AND 13 MILLION.

I BELIEVE THE KENTUCKY CENTER WANTS 20 MILLION FOR THE SCHOOL SAFETY ALLOCATION.

WOULD THAT BE SUFFICIENT?

>> I'M NOT JOHN ACRES BUT I'M SURE HE WOULD TAKE IT AND WHATEVER WE CAN DO ON TOP OF THAT WOULD BE THE CREAM AT THE TOP.

>> Renee: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE BREAKDOWN THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS Mr.

BARRIER WOULD BE ALLOCATED 30,000 RATHER THAN 20,000 IF THAT 20 MILLION WAS APPROVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IS THAT SUFFICIENT?

IS THAT ENOUGH?

>> SO I WOULD SAY IT'S NEVER ENOUGH.

HOUSE BILL 6 IS LOOKING AT APPROPRIATING 20,000 PER SRO TO OFFSET COSTS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS PER SRO PER CAMPUS.

AND JOHN ACRES IN HIS MONEY THAT HE IS SEEKING, WILL HELP TO SUPPLEMENT THAT TO $30,000.

YOU ARE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO FUNDING SRO'S.

THERE'S 789SRO'S IN THE STATE TODAY.

AND WE'RE HOPING NEXT YEAR WE HAVE 825.

AS WE ARE LOOKING TO FIND WAYS TO PUT SRO'S IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THIS IS A STOPGAP MEASURE THAT WILL HELP SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE TO MAKE STUDENTS SAFE IN SCHOOLS.

>> ONE THING ALSO, RENEE, THIS PROGRAM FOR THE GUARDIANS WOULD NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL 2025-26 THIS IS A PILOT PROJECT ALSO.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE GET.

LET'S SEE HOW MANY APPLICATIONS COME THROUGH AND THAT IS WORKING WITH DOCJT FOR TRAINING.

WE CAN'T TAKE PEOPLE WITH OUR CLASSES THERE'S ALSO AN ASK IN THE BUDGET FOR MADISONVILLE TO BE ABLE TO GET A TRAINING FACILITY.

THAT WOULD BE NICE THAT WE COULD ALSO HIRE PUT MORE SRO'S THERE, GUARDIANS AND MORE POLICE CHIEFS AND OTHERS THAT CAN COULD GO THROUGH THE TRAINING FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> Renee: THIS QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.

WE SAW A LARGE NUMBER OF POLICE RESPONDING TO SHOOTERS IN UVALDE AND KANSAS CITY BUT IT DIDN'T PREVENT DEATHS WHY WOULD ADDING MORE COPS FIX THIS ISSUE?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO HARP BACK ON TRAINING BECAUSE I'VE HIT THAT AND LET ME TELL YOU I DON'T THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW SENATOR WISE HAS A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND AS WELL.

THEY ARE COWARDS.

UVALDE COWARDS THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID OUT LOUD THAT CANNOT BE USED AS THE EXAMPLE FOR OR AGAINST BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED THERE LIKE IN FLORIDA AS WELL, THE SHOOTING DOWN THERE, WE SAW THE DEPUTY LITERALLY WALKOUT OF THE BUILDING AND WAIT THAT PERSON SHOULDN'T BE WEARING A BADGE.

WHAT HAPPENED IN UVALDE COMPLETE FAILURE.

THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO BE DISMANTLED AND REBUILT BACK WITH BETTER TRAINING BETTER PEOPLE.

THAT IS THE TRUTH IN IT.

BUT I THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO YOUR VIEWER THAT SENT THE QUESTION, I THINK WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO AND I WILL GO WITH THE BUDGET A LITTLE BIT WITH THE DOCJT LET'S GET THE FUNDING AND THE ACADEMY IN MAD TONVILLE WE ARE.

>> Renee: WHY IS MADISONVILLE SO IMPORTANT?

>> IT WILL HELP THAT PART OF THE STATE.

YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO SEND PEOPLE TO RICHMOND.

I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS MAY NOT KNOW BUT WHEN YOU ENTER THE POLICE ACADEMY, AND YOU GO TO THE LARGEST ONE IN THE STATE YOU SPEND THE NIGHT YOU GO FOR THE WEEK AND YOU LEAVE THAT IS A BARRIER FOR SOME FAMILIES IF YOU ARE A SINGLE PARENT WITH A CHILD YOU ARE OUT UNLESS YOU HAVE CHILDCARE TO HELP WITH THAT.

ON TOP OF MANY OTHER THINGS.

SO THE ACADEMY IN MADISONVILLE WILL BE HUGE AND I'M EXCITED WE'RE HEARING THAT COMING OUT FROM THE BUDGET CENTER.

McDANIEL WORKED WITH ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUPS AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE SENATE FOR DOING THAT.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE IT FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

>> Renee: YOU BROUGHT UP THE UVALDE DURING YOUR COMMITTEE TESTIMONY.

>> YES, I DID.

AND I WOULD AGREE THAT THOSE MEN WERE COWARDS.

I DON'T SEE WHY THE MEN OF KENTUCKY WOULD BE LESS COWARDLY WHEN THERE IS A PERSON THAT IS STANDING THERE WITH A GUN THAT COULD KILL THEM ALL.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME THE APPROACH.

SENATOR WISE MENTIONED THAT HE WOULD DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT HIS KIDS.

BUT HE WON'T DISCUSS SOMETHING LIKE A SAFE STORAGE BILL.

I MEAN, THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE KNOW COULD ACTUALLY GET GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE DANGEROUS ARE LEGISLATORS WILL NOT DISCUSS THEM.

AND THIS IS WHAT MY CONCERN IS.

I THINK SRO'S THAT HAVE THE BEST TRAINING ARE PROBABLY A FINE THING TO HAVE AT THE SCHOOLS.

BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE.

BECAUSE THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IS THAT DANGEROUS PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED EASY ACCESS TO GUNS AND WE DON'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP THAT.

>> Renee: SENATOR THOMAS MENTIONED THAT WE STARTED WITH SRO'S AND THE STATE COULD BE MOVING TO GUARDIANS IS THE NEXT STEP ARMING TEACHERS?

>> I HAVE NOT HAD THAT BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION.

>> Renee: IS THIS LEGISLATION TO OFFSET THAT IDEA AND THE MOVEMENT TOWARD ARMING SCHOOL PERSONNEL?

>> THAT HAS NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION WITH THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> Renee: ANYONE WANT TO COMMENT ON ARMING TEACHERS?

WOULD IT MAKE SCHOOLS SAFER?

>> I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT DIRECT THAT QUESTION TO ME.

ARMING TEACHERS IS A DISCUSSION WE HAVE NOT HAD AS AN ASSOCIATION BUT IT IS ONE TWO YEARS AGO, THREE YEARS AGO, WHEN YOU HAVE A MARSHALL COUNTY SHOOTING AND LIVES ARE LOST YOU CAN'T HELP BUT ASK THOSE QUESTIONSMENT BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY CONCERNING.

OUR LAST CONVERSATION WAS NOT SOMETHING IN TERMS OF OUR BEING ARMING TEACHERS IS NOT THE ANSWER.

THE ANSWER IS COMING BACK TO THE MOST IMPORTANT PREDICTTER FOR SUCCESS OF A STUDENT WHO IS HAPPY, WELL ADJUST SECOND A SINGLE CARING ADULT IN THAT PERSON'S LIFE.

>> Renee: YOU'VE DONE A SURVEY OF YOUR ADMINISTRATORS AND YOUR ORGANIZATION AND THEY ARE WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGAINST THE IDEA OF ARMING SCHOOL PERSONNEL?

>> SO IT'S BEEN AT LEAST TWO YEARS AGO WITH THE LAST TIME WE SURVEYED THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION.

AND I KNOW THE RESPONSE WAS OVER 60 MAYBE 80, 90% AND THIS WAS A SPECIFIC QUESTION AROUND ARMING TEACHERS.

>> Renee: NI OTHER COMMENT ON THAT?

>> LOOK, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE FOP AND I KNOW A NUMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUPS WILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE THERE WHEN WE'RE ARMING TEACHERS WITH THE GUARDIANS IT COMES DOWN TO TRAINING.

WE HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THAT AND I WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ON MY FRIEND, WE ARE THE SPIRIT WHERE SHE WAS COMING FROM THERE IS NO BETTER LAW ENFORCEMENT THAN WE HAVE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

AND I KNOW THE ONES I SERVE WITH IT WOULD BE AN HONOR TO RUN TOWARDS THAT GUNFIRE TO SAVE A LIFE.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

>> RENEE, I TALK TO TEACHERS ALL THE TIME.

I TALK TO TEACHERS ALL OVER THE STATE ALL THE TIME.

NO TEACHER IS INTERESTED IN BEING STRAPPED WITH A GUN.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TRAUMA INFORMED CARE PIECE I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THAT SHORT SHIFT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT AND APPLICATION AND PROCESS AND HOW THAT OPERATIONALIZES CHAIRMAN WISE?

>> I THINK MS. DALD WELL HIT ON IT TRAUMA INFORMED APPROACH IS TAKING YOUR SOCIAL WORKER AND PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND WORKING WITH THE SRO.

RIGHT NOW WE HEAR ABOUT A LOT OF DATA AND HEAR THERE'S ASSESSMENTS AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT IS GOING.

SO THE BILL WILL ALLOW THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLECT AND SEE WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT NOW?

WHAT ABOUT MEDICAID BILLING THAT IS GOING TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR STUDENTS THAT NEED THIS.

WHAT ABOUT OFFICES FOR HOW MANY TYPES OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED.

WITH THAT THIS APPROACH IS GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO COLLECT PLANS COLLECT THAT DATA, REPORT TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION THEY NEED TO DO A REPORT AND PRESENT THAT TO THE JOINTS COMMITTEE FOR EDUCATION IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE THAT WAY WE HAVE AN IDEA WHAT IS OUT THERE.

WE HEAR SO MUCH POST COVID SO MANY THINGS INVOLVING MENTAL HEALTH AND WE CAN SAY THAT WAS PRECOVID AND TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS AN ESCALATION.

WE NEED THAT REPORTING MECHANISM TO GIVE US A CLEAR PICK PER WHAT IS OUT THERE.

>> Renee: DOES THERE NEED TO BE MORE EMPHASIS ON ANTI-BULLYING LEGISLATION OR ACTS THAT MAY CAUSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TURN TO VIOLENCE WHEN THEY FEEL THAT THEY ARE BEING ISOLATED OR ABANDONED IN SOME WAY BY THOSE IN THEIR COMMUNITY?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

KASA HAS A SAFETY COUNCIL AND LAST DECEMBER WE HAD A CONVERSATION IN TERMS OF WHAT ARE THE CONCERNING BURNING ISSUES THE MOST EMERGING ISSUES.

AND THE LIST IS AN AMAZINGLY LONG, LONG LIST.

AND STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

VAPING.

WE HAD A SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO RECENTLY 10,000 BILL TO UNCLOG A SEWER LIKE BECAUSE OF VAPE PENS.

BULLYING.

SUICIDE.

YOU NAME IT IT IS ON THE LIST.

AND AS A STATE, WE HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS.

THERE'S SO MUCH COMPLEXITY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND WHAT I SEE US DOING WE'RE TRYING TO RESOLVE ALL OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE AT ONCE.

AND IF WE COULD JUST BACK UP AND WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST PREDICTION FOR A CHILD'S SUCCESS?

AND IT BEGINS COMING BACK TO THE SINGLE CARING ADULT.

THE CLASSROOM TEACHER.

STARTING TO LOOK AT WHO IS IN OUR CLASSROOMS.

AND BECAUSE THOSE HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS CHANGE AND RESOLVE ALMOST ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS.

LOOKING AT THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR'S ROLE?

THIS LEGISLATION ACTUALLY OUTLINES HOW 60% OF COUNSELOR'S TIME IS TO BE SPENT WITH PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES TO STUDENTS.

AND THEN LOOKING AT THAT SRO.

THESE ARE ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PEOPLE THAT WE REALLY NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY FIRST AND FOREMOST WE HAVE THE MOST TALENTED, THE BRIGHTEST AND THE BEST THAT WE CAN ATTRACT INTO THESE FIELDS AND SECONDLY, THAT THEY ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND THEY ARE POURING INTO OUR STUDENTS TO BRING ABOUT THAT STRONG KENTUCKY THAT WE ALL WANT FROM OUR EARLIEST LEARNER TO THE TIME THAT THEY GRADUATE AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES TODAY.

>> Renee: WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU ALL.

THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD DISCUSSION WE'LL FOLLOW THIS BILL WE ANTICIPATE WILL COME BEFORE A HOUSE COMMITTEE IN A FEW DAYS AND YOU CAN WATCH US ON KENTUCKY EDITION EACH WEEKNIGHT AT 6:30, WHERE WE'RE TRACKING ALL THE LEGISLATION OR MUCH OF IT THAT HAS COME BEFORE THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE WILL TRACK THAT FOR YOU AND KEEP YOU UP-TO-DATE.

AND GET ANALYSIS FRIDAY NIGHT WITH BILL BRYANT AND A TEAM OF JOURNALISTS THEY WILL BREAKDOWN THE NEWS OF THE WEEK AND THE BILLS THAT ARE PASSED IN THE STATE CAPITOL AT 8:00 P.M.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

TAKE GOOD CARE AND I WILL SEE YOU SOON.

GOOD NIGHT.