McKinney ISD has hired Robert Montgomery as the district's director of safety, security and transportation after the district's board of trustees approved the hire at a Dec. 19 meeting. Montgomery will begin at the start of the new semester in January. Montgomery's hire comes after former MISD Director of Safety, Security and Transportation Greg Hill announced his December retirement, according to a news release from MISD. Montgomery comes to MISD with five years experience in school safety and 18 years of experience in law enforcement. “Montgomery’s background is unique in that he has experience in the private sector, police and law enforcement and in school safety and security,” Cody Cunningham, MISD chief communications and support services officer, said in the release. “He has extensive experience in developing comprehensive safety plans at the university and K–12 levels." Montgomery previously served as Allen ISD's safety and specialist, where he was responsible for day-to-day safety and security of students, staff, parents and visitors of a 10th- through 12th-grade high school, a freshman center, 18 elementary schools and three middle schools. “Along with his experience in law enforcement and school safety and security, Mr. Montgomery is extremely approachable and an effective communicator, which I believe is a critical component of the job,” Cunningham said. “We were looking for someone who listens to students, parents and staff when it comes to how we can improve and ensure that we are creating the safest environment possible for our students.”