RISD Families,

Over the past 2 weeks, school districts across the Commonwealth have experienced an increase in alleged threats of violence.  While these rumors are a hindrance to the educational process, we do take each allegation seriously.   On any safety related issue involving these type acts, RISD works closely with our school resource officers and local law enforcement.  Knowing that tensions are high across the state, law enforcement agencies have made an intentional effort to increase police presence on our campuses.  As a response to these threats and rumors of threats the Kentucky State Police and Kentucky Department of Education issued the press release that is at the end of this message.  I encourage you to review this press release.

Ensuring our students and staff are safe is paramount to what we do each day.  It is also why RISD in collaboration with the City of Russellville will be implementing the Centegix Safety alert system after Fall Break.  This is the same system that was used in the recent Georgia school safety crisis and credited with a swift response.

Sincerely,

Kyle Estes

Superintendent

*****PRESS RELEASE*****

Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Department of Education issue statement on recent school threats

(FRANKFORT, KY) – In response to several school threats that have occurred across the Commonwealth this week, the Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Department of Education have issued the below statements.

“Kentucky State Police will continue to work with school resource officers, local law enforcement and school administrators to ensure the safety of all students. As a trooper and a father who has children in our school system, I can assure you that we will take any threat seriously and make arrests where possible.” -Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr.

“There is no greater trust – or responsibility – that can be given to our schools than a parent or guardian saying he or she trusts us with his or her child. While we are concerned about the amount of time our students are missing due to these hoaxes, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of the students and staff members that are in our schools every day across Kentucky. We ask our families to talk with their students about the very real and serious consequences that can happen if they call in a threat against another student or their school.  A threat like this can result in a student facing suspension, expulsion and/or alternative placements, in addition to the consequences from our justice system.” -Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher 

The Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Department of Education urge parents to have a conversation with their children about the dangers and consequences of posting threatening messages on social media or online. Families should also speak with their children about reporting any concerning information they may come across on social media or online to an adult. Ensuring that any information reported is accurate and truthful is crucial, as false reports can lead to unnecessary fear and confusion. However, KSP emphasizes that this should not discourage anyone from reporting potential crimes or threats.

Kentucky Revised Statute 508 states threats of violence directed toward a school are Terroristic Threatening 1st Degree, which is a Class C Felony. Furthermore, a Class C Felony is a serious crime that can carry a punishment of up to 5 to 10 years in prison.

On Aug. 28, the Kentucky Office of the State School Security Marshal released the annual School Safety Risk Assessment Report, which shows 99.81% of Kentucky’s schools are following statutory safety requirements. The report shows that 1,325 schools are in compliance with the School Safety and Resiliency Act. 

Since Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 63 in 2022, every Kentucky public school is required to employ a school resource officer (SRO) and the number of SROs assigned to school campuses has increased to 790. This is a 28% increase over the last year and a 61% increase since the bill was signed into law. 

Team Kentucky is thankful for local and state law enforcement agencies and the SROs who have responded to recent threats and work to keep Kentucky’s students and staff safe.