HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County School Board has voted to establish their own law enforcement agency at their board meeting on Nov. 21.

Currently, officers from the Hopkinsville Police Department and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office serve as school resource officers throughout the district. However, Student Services Director Kim Stevenson says having their own school-based law enforcement agency would allow CCPS to have more flexibility with officers as well as save the district some money on SROs.

“We would be able to apply for grants as a lot of state and federal money is allocated towards things like this,” said board member Lindsey Clark. Clark further shares in the last fiscal year over $1 million was spent towards SRO’s.

Stevenson says they intend to continue working with city and county law enforcement but shares it is in their best interest budget wise to hire their own officers. She also said they will hire four new SROs to replace those from the sheriff’s department at the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, then they will hire 10 more SROs to replace those from HPD. The board approved the motion.

Stevenson also presented the board with two new job positions including Director of School Safety and Security along with Chief of School Safety and Security, each with their own job requirements. CCPS says the jobs will be posted in the near future.

Other agenda items

The board was then tasked with appointing three community members to their Local Planning Committee. Among a list of eight candidates they selected Tiffany Brame, David Wimpy and Mark McGee. Assistant Superintendent Kevin Crider says “David Wimpy was a co-chair on the committee before, McGee is a local businessman who’s been involved in construction conversations, and Brame would be the only female representative to put her name in.”

Lastly, the board approved several change orders for the construction of the consolidated Christian County High School. The change orders varied for items like an additional window in the culinary wing, drains, electrical, and a transfer of funds to pay for underground storm unit.