NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — With Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed off on $230 million for school safety, FOX 17 News investigated what security measures Middle Tennessee schools already have in place, and what new technology they could be installing.
For Tennessee public schools, the new legislation is directing $40 million, largely for physical upgrades. Another $14 million would go toward private schools.
“Lighting, door locks, the cameras, entry and exit vestibules…so we can control who is entering the school, during the middle of the day, things like that,” explained Greg Mays, the director of the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security.
The governor’s office directed all school districts to draft updated safety assessments of their current buildings, and what they’d need, due this summer. Schools can also get help from a homeland security agent, now assigned to each county, per the legislation.
“To be there as a security expert to offer some guidance, some recommendations on where that money can be spent,” said Mays.
State officials say funding will be prioritized based on the threat and safety gaps found in those plans.
Some major physical security upgrades likely to be considered:
- Bullet resistant film on windows
- More surveillance cameras, higher-tech ones
- One-way window laminate, where you can’t see into the school- only out
- Any type of “Stop the Bleed” or first-aid kit in classrooms
- Advanced weapons detection systems using cameras or other equipment
FOX 17 News surveyed more than 26 schools across Middle Tennessee on what safety measures they already have in place, of the ones mentioned above.
Fourteen districts responded they had at least half of these safeguards, currently. FOX 17 News is choosing not to reveal which ones exactly, for safety reasons. Another 12 school districts either declined to comment or didn’t respond.
The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System just approved a pilot program for advanced weapons detection equipment in its schools.
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) also gave the green light this month for emergency preparedness backpacks in each classroom, including metal door jams and tourniquets.
Each school is also now required to create a threat assessment team including teachers, counselors, SROs, homeland security agents, and others. This team will be integral in tracking down tips and warning sings to help identify a potential shooter, and intervene.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of research done in this area,” said Mays. “What we found is that 80% of all school shooters, told somebody about their intended activityThe challenge is identifying the warning signs and acting on them, and intervening and providing some sort of off ramp for that person, as they’re on this pathway to violence.”
The governor’s funding also includes $8 million for additional mental health counselors in Tennessee schools.
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