"Building the Plane While It's Flying": An Implementation Study of the Jefferson County Public Schools Safety Plan

Abstract

This study was completed on behalf of Jefferson County Public Schools as an implementation evaluation of their new Safety Administrator role. Safety Administrators are a novel concept, born of the desire to approach school safety from both a physical security and an emotional security lens. We utilized a mixed methods data collection strategy, consisting of focus group interviews and surveys of Safety Administrators, a survey completed by Safety Administrators’ supervisors, and document analysis. Results indicate that Safety Administrators’ time use aligns with the district’s expectations, and that the role has strong social validity with school principals. Safety Administrators themselves indicate a firm commitment to their role and to its mission. Although their organizational socialization experience involved a somewhat ambiguous beginning, Safety Administrators overwhelmingly express an intention to return to the job next year. The Safety Administrator role is an extremely promising initiative, bridging the gap between trauma-informed practices and necessary security protocols.