Nearly 100 more school resource officers protecting public schools since start of last year
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 26, 2026) – Today, Kentucky has released the 2025-2026 School Safety Risk Assessment Report. The Office of the State School Security Marshal is required by law to conduct annual unannounced visits to all public schools to verify compliance with state-mandated security measures. The newly released 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 dedication of Kentucky’s public-school teachers, staff and school resource officers is evident in the fact that nearly all of our schools are following requirements and putting the safety and security of our students first,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Our commonwealth’s future is secure because of their work inside the classroom as well as their work to create that safe learning environment all our kids deserve.”
The report shows that 937 school resource officers (SROs) are now protecting public school campuses in Kentucky, as required by House Bill 63. This is nearly 100 more SROs since the start of the previous school year and a 130% increase since the Beshear-Coleman administration took office in 2019.
“Our Kentucky school professionals diligently work together as a team with the Office of the State School Security Marshal to create and maintain safe schools,” said State School Security Marshal Shannon West. “I could not be happier with the effort we see year after year to provide the safest campuses and strongest relationships between educators and public safety partners.”
The Beshear-Coleman administration’s top priority is the safety of all Kentuckians. It is an education-first administration dedicated to providing the necessary resources that provide safe, effective education to all of Kentucky’s children, from pre-K through high school.
In May, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order launching the Team Kentucky Pre-K Pilot Program in the first two counties, and it has since been expanded to five districts across Kentucky. The Governor also announced the September opening of the Team Kentucky Early Learning Center, set to serve executive branch state employees.
The Governor's public safety actions are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky. Since taking office at the end of 2019, the Beshear-Coleman administration has consistently demonstrated their commitment to the safety of Kentucky’s children while on campus and in the classroom.
Since Gov. Beshear took office, fewer Kentuckians have returned to prison after their release. For two years in a row, recidivism rates in the commonwealth have decreased, meaning that nearly 70% of those released from state custody have not returned.
The 2025 Crime in Kentucky report, released in June, shows that, from 2024 to 2025, there was an overall decrease of 8.14% in reports of serious crime.
For four straight years, overdose deaths have decreased in Kentucky. In 2025, the commonwealth saw 22.9% fewer overdose deaths than the year prior.
For more information about the work the Beshear-Coleman administration has done since taking office to build a safer New Kentucky Home, click here.
Kentuckians are encouraged to report information that may cause harm to schools to the STOP! Tipline at 866-393-6659 or safeschools.ky.gov. For additional resources on how to further protect children, watch this video on the Handle with Care Program.
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Editor’s Note: Assessment results from individual school districts will not be released and are protected under the law. Publication of data identifying an incomplete safety measure could put school staff and students at unnecessary risk while they work toward full compliance with the law. Pursuant to KRS 61.878 (m)(1)(b), certain public records are exempted from inspection except on order of a court, including public records the disclosure of which would have a reasonable likelihood of threatening public safety by exposing a vulnerability in preventing, protecting against, mitigating or responding to a terrorist act. This includes vulnerability assessments, antiterrorism protective measures and plans, and security and response needs assessments.