Knox County is looking into Griffin's relationship with the school system's former electronic security systems vendor, Professional Security Consultants and Design.
Several years ago, the company was hired to provide video camera surveillance, alarms, and fire prevention systems, as well as infrastructure to run those systems at Hardin Valley Academy and Powell Middle School.
According to an audit by Nashville-based Stansell Electric Company in 2011, PSCD did not deliver what it promised to the school district.
Dr. McIntyre said he made his decision based upon new information Griffin provided him on Friday but did not elaborate.
Deputy Chief of Security Rodney Beverly will serve as the Acting Chief of Security pending the outcome of the investigation.
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Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett tells 10News he will not consider any funding for school safety until a lawsuit is settled among Knox County and the Public Building Authority, and a former security contractor for Knox County Schools.
The fight between the PBA and Knoxville-based Professional Security Consultants and Design has been going on for several years. It's over work the security company did at Hardin Valley Academy and Powell Middle School in the mid-2000's.
PSCD was contracted to provide video camera surveillance, alarm, and fire prevention systems, as well as infrastructure to run those systems.
However, an audit done by a Nashville-based Stansell Electric Company in 2011 found PSCD did not deliver what it promised to the school district.
The audit found some of the equipment was not installed to code, some equipment was installed but only partially functioning or not working at all at HVA and PMS. PSCD eventually did work on similar systems in all of Knox County Schools buildings during the decade they were under contract.
Knox County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre told 10News on Friday afternoon that the district now has a new security contractor, "SimplexGrinnell". McIntyre provided 10News with a letter from from that company about a review it did during the summer of 2012 of the systems in every Knox County Schools building in the district.
The letter, signed by Manager Ricky Pyle, reads, "During the inspection process SimplexGrinnell documented any deficiencies and provided quotes for the repair of each deficiency...To date, SimplexGrinnell is not aware of any existing issues with the security systems in any of the schools."
When asked to elaborate about other specific deficiencies identified in the "SimplexGrinnell" review, Dr. McIntyre declined to comment, citing security reasons. But, Dr. McIntyre said he is confident in all of the security and fire-prevention systems across the district, and that he is open to an external review of those systems should the Knox County Board of Education request it.
"Now, if the school board would like to consider doing more and bringing in an outside organization to take another look at it, I'm certainly open to having that conversation," said Dr. McIntyre.
We also reached out to Mayor Burchett about the lawsuit, its findings, and response from the school district. He said he would not consider any new requests for safety funding right now. That includes the Knox County Sheriff's plan, 10News first reported earlier this week, to ask for 20 deputies to be placed in Knox County Schools outside the city limits.
"As far as new funding goes for new projects, i'm not advancing any of these proposals right now, cause i'm really upset about this because i feel like we've been misinformed," said Burchett.
Burchett also sent a letter to Knox County Board of Education Chair Karen Carson urging the school board to approve an external audit of security operations in all Knox County Schools.
"I recognize that this letter falls outside of the purview of the Executive Branch. However, since it involved the security of Knox County school children, I feel it is incumbent on me to make this request," wrote Burchett.
10News also contacted Mike Walker, the owner of PCSD on Friday. He said his attorney is still going through documents, they have no comment at this time, but release a statement on Monday.
Source-wbir.com