Report details compliance of public schools with safety standards

The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet has published the 2025-2026 School Safety Risk Assessment Report, which compiles statistics on school compliance with state-mandated security measures. According to a release from the cabinet, the report is based on annual unannounced visits to all public schools in the commonwealth. This year’s report “shows that schools are complying with statutorily mandated access control requirements regarding electronic-locking front doors, surveillance, locked classroom doors, classroom window coverings, and a threat-assessment team.” The report found that 98.4 percent of all Kentucky schools were in compliance with specific practices to control access to school buildings, such as requirements that access is only granted through the main entrance and all visitors must present ID. Similar numbers were seen for safety and security processes, such as the implementation of an emergency plan. The report also shows that 937 school resource officers are now employed across Kentucky’s public schools, an increase of nearly 100 from the previous school year. The full report can be found on the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s website. Kentuckians can report any school safety concerns via the STOP! Tipline at 1-866-393-6659 or at safeschools.ky.gov.