Barren County board discusses school safety, approves adding mental health coordinator
Glasgow Daily TimesMar 09, 2018
Orman said when he performs school safety assessments, he always looks for "commitment over compliance," and "a real commitment, not just checking boxes on safety and security measures."
"It's easy to see when the commitment is present and not just compliance," he said, adding that he thinks BCS is committed to tweaking and improving safety and security in its schools.
Orman stressed the importance of building relationships with students and families, and said addressing mental health in schools "is a huge piece of preventative school safety."
BCS addressed this issue with the creation of a new position -- a district mental health coordinator -- which the board approved Thursday night.
"I think that's going to be a great asset," said
Frazier said this position would help with counseling students and their families if there was an event or a crisis issue.
"We have that person on-hand who can meet with those families and meet with the students," he said. "To me, one of the most important parts would be the follow-up, and making sure that we are creating a plan for that student to transition back to our buildings if there were to be an incident or an issue with them.
"It also adds another piece in the field of mental health, giving families and students the ability to speak to someone that is licensed -- that is something that we are preferring in this field."
During his presentation to the board, Frazier said they want to add more School Resource Officers to the school district.
Orman said adding SROs is the "No. 1 thing we can do."
"I'm a big believer in police officers and having police officers in a school," Orman said. "They are the ones who should be armed. They are best equipped to handle emergency situations."
BCS Superintendent
BCS Board Chairman
In other business, the board approved the following change orders to the CTE and Athletic
The board also approved various out-of-state/overnight travel for students including a trip to the Huntsville Space and
The board approved the creation of an interim finance director position and the advertisement of bids for CDL drug testing and mowing services.
At the beginning of Thursday's meeting, the board recognized the following people:
The board also recognized the BCHS Beta Show Choir for its recent accolades, as well as
"Being a National Board Certified Teacher is one of the greatest honors you can receive," BCS Assistant Superintendent
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