Fisher Named to Oversee School Safety, Security, for AHPS

Fisher Named to Oversee School Safety, Security, for AHPS
Posted on 10/02/2024


Fisher Named to Oversee School Safety, Security, for AHPS


LOW MOOR — Chris Fisher has been named the first supervisor of safety and security for Alleghany Highlands Public Schools.  


The school board approved the appointment on Monday, Sept. 30, following a closed session to discuss personnel matters. The school board held a called meeting at the AHPS Central Office in Low Moor.   


“Chris [Fisher] brings a wealth of experience and great knowledge of the Alleghany Highlands to this position,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. 


Fisher has been involved in local law enforcement since 2002. He is a graduate of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (now Mountain Gateway Community College). Fisher also graduated from Old Dominion University and the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy. 


Since 2006, Fisher has worked as a deputy sheriff for the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office. He currently holds the rank of captain. In his current role, Fisher oversees the school resource officer program, the crisis intervention team, and the community policing program. 


He is well known in the education community as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructor in elementary schools. In 2020, Fisher was named the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s Ruth Middleton Volunteer of the Year Award winner. He was honored this year as Mountain Gateway Community College’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.


Fisher has been a member of the Iron Gate Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad since 2004 and he’s coached youth sports since 2006. He has been a Clifton Forge Lions Club member since 2010 and a lay speaker at area churches since 2016.


He will begin his duties with AHPS on Oct. 21. Fisher will work closely with Fred Vaughan, the school division’s director of human resources and pupil personnel.


“I am excited to start a new career as the supervisor of safety and security for the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division.  I am grateful to have worked over the last 20-plus years, along with my colleagues both in law enforcement, and the school division.  I am also grateful for the opportunity to have worked as an employee for Sheriff Kyle Moore, Sheriff Kevin Hall, Sheriff Dale Muterspaugh, former Clifton Forge Police Chief Barry Balser, and former Iron Gate Police Chief Brad Hodge,” Fisher said.

 

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with the community, in a slightly different role, but one that is of the utmost importance, the safety of our students, faculty, and staff,” he said.


The supervisor of safety and security is a newly created position with AHPS that was largely enabled by additional funding from the state.  The school board approved a job description for the position in Dec. 2023. A school board budget committee had recommended moving forward and filling the position. The hiring process was put on hold until AHPS received a clear picture of its state funding. After the Virginia General Assembly finalized a state budget this summer, the school division resumed its plans to fill the position.


AHPS leaders interviewed several well-qualified candidates for the position and Fisher’s hiring was approved by the school board on Monday.


AHPS was created on July 1, 2022, when Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City School, and Jackson River Technical Center merged. The merger allowed AHPS to efficiently use funding provided by Alleghany County and the City of Covington. The efficient use of local funds has enabled AHPS to maintain staffing and enhance program offerings for students without asking the local governments for additional money.


Fisher’s hiring fits with the high priority AHPS places on school safety and security. AHPS leaders know that a safe environment is essential to student learning. The school division works to obtain grants and other resources to enhance security and safety. 


“We know our country is concerned with rising safety challenges for schools around the nation, and we are so thankful for support for school safety through additional funding like Safety and Security Equipment Grants, funds we use for various equipment needs,” said Halterman and Snead-Johnson.


The school division has a school safety team that meets regularly. The team is a cross-section of the community. Its members include law enforcement agencies, school officials, and community agencies. Tammy Scruggs-Duncan of Covington is the school board representative.


Scruggs-Duncan applauded Fisher’s hiring, noting he has strong relationships with the community, including resource officers assigned to AHPS schools. The resource officers are provided to AHPS by the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office and the Covington Division of Police.  


“We've hit the jackpot in landing Chris to ensure the safety and security of our school system. He's already spent much of his life protecting and serving our community. He's built important relationships with the kids, their parents, and our current resource officers; they trust and respect him.  It's really comforting to know that he’ll be the one overseeing the security of our students, teachers, and staff,” Scruggs-Duncan said.


With approximately 2,700 students, AHPS is funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington. AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.


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