First School Compliance Officer Certification class graduates

(Photo by Michael Moore)

The Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training completed its first School Compliance Officer Certification course last week.

The course is designed to train those individuals in charge of completing school assessments based on state-mandated compliance as spelled out in the School Safety and Resiliency Act.

The inaugural class included 41 professionals dedicated to keeping Kentucky Schools safe. On the final day, class members heard from Jason Holt and Secret Holt and Brian Cope and Teresa Cope, parents who lost their 15-year-old children, Bailey Holt and Preston Cope, during the 2018 Marshall County High School shooting. The parents gave powerful, moving statements that left many members in tears.

“As a mom, when you send your children to school, you expect them to come home that day,” Secret Holt told the group. “This (certification course) is a big deal. Thank you for your time and commitment, and hold your children extra tight because you just never know.”

State Security Marshall Ben Wilcox said the story the parents shared only supported the need and importance of the mission.

“The presentation by the Cope and Holt families reinforced the importance of the School Safety and Resiliency Act and the State School Safety Marshal’s Office,” Wilcox said. “The tragedy that happened in Marshall County will serve as a catalyst for our resolve in making sure that schools across the Commonwealth of Kentucky have the means to protect our most important resources – our children.”

Secret Holt speaks to the members of the School Compliance Officer Certification class about her family’s experiences in the wake of the Marshall County High School shooting in January 2018. The shooting claimed the life of her 15-year-old daughter, Bailey Holt. (Photos by Michael Moore)

Brian and Teresa Cope support one another as they listen to Secret Holt talk about the shooting at Marshall County in January 2018. The Copes lost their son, 15-year-old Preston Cope, in the shooting.

Members of the School Compliance Officer Certification class listen intently to the Holts and Copes during the final day of class on Friday, Jan. 10.