Tennessee Governor Boosts School Security with $230 Million Bill in Wake of Tragic Shooting

Originally published May 11, 2023 4:00 pm PDT

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Wednesday signed strong school safety legislation into law and announced an investment of over $230 million to enhance safety in public and private schools across the state, according to a press release.

Gov. Lee stated, “Nothing is more important than Tennessee students and teachers returning home from school safely each day.”

He emphasized that every year since 2019, they have worked with the General Assembly to prioritize school safety.

The newly-signed legislation includes several measures aimed at improving security and accountability in schools, according to the press release.

It enacts a multi-tiered accountability plan to ensure exterior doors are locked when students are present, requires private security guards to receive active shooter training before being posted at schools, and mandates every school district to establish threat assessment teams to connect students with support services and behavioral health professionals when needed.

Additionally, the law requires all public and private schools to develop annual safety plans that include an incident command drill for school leaders and law enforcement.

The $230 million investment in school safety funding includes $30 million for over 100 Homeland Security agents across all 95 counties, $140 million for one full-time, armed School Resource Officer (SRO) for every public school, $40 million for public school security upgrades, $14 million for private school security upgrades, and $8 million for additional School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons across the state.

Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally said, “The safety of our schools is of paramount importance and I am grateful we were in the financial position to quickly allocate the funds for these improvements.”

House Speaker Cameron Sexton added, “Our schools, staff, and teachers will now have more resources at their disposal to support the physical, mental, and emotional health of all Tennessee students.”

Governor Lee’s move comes after March 28, 2023, when a tragic incident unfolded at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.

Six lives were lost, comprising three children and three adults.

The neutralized perpetrator, transgender-identified Audrey Elizabeth Hale, aged 28, discharged a total of 152 rounds within the school premises.

While the motive behind the shooting remains undisclosed, authorities have confirmed that the school itself was targeted instead of other locations, which the shooter knew would have armed staff.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson emphasized that the new legislation will make significant improvements to school security and give parents confidence in the safety of their children’s schools.

House Majority Leader William Lamberth commended Governor Lee and his Republican colleagues for their continued commitment to increasing school safety in Tennessee.

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