In an effort to create the safest possible environment for students, the Carter County School System is inviting parents and guardians to attend a special Active Shooter Awareness Training program.

The training program will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at Hampton Elementary. Carter Cares locations across the county will remain open until 6:30 p.m. to allow parents to attend the training program.

Carter County Board of Education Chairman Rusty Barnett said the program will be led by fellow Board member Jerry Stout, who works with the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security.

“With Mr. Stout being on the Board, we kind of have the inside track on this type of training,” Barnett said.

Stout serves as the Supervisory Agent in the Bureau of Operations for the State of Tennessee Office of Homeland Security. His areas of responsibility span with the agency span the entire state.

Stout holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Masters degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. He has taught numerous criminal justice courses at East Tennessee State University and Northeast State Community College. His law enforcement career began in 1973 with the ETSU police and in 1975 he transferred to the Johnson City Police Department specializing in Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and criminal investigations.

After leaving the JCPD, Stout took a position with Nuclear Fuel Services where he worked in all aspects of nuclear security management including regulatory compliance, training, emergency preparedness, security operations, and personnel security. His career at NFS spanned 27 years. After retiring from NFS, Stout accepted a position with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 to serve as the Jail Superintendent. In 2008, Stout joined the Department of Homeland Security.

Barnett said Stout is an excellent instructor and highly skilled in law enforcement and security measures.

“I think it’s going to be a good program,” Barnett said.

In the wake of so many mass shootings, such as the one recently at a school in Florida, Barnett said the school system and Board of Education want to help parents understand the types of security measures in place as well as ideas to help improve the safety of the schools.

“We want the parents to know we are trying to do everything possible to make the schools as safe of an environment as possible,” Barnett said. “They are all worried, and we want to help ease their fears. I encourage all parents to attend.”