Republicans announce their school shooting plan for Tennessee

NASHVILLE (WDEF) – While protests continued today at the state capitol demanding legislative action on school shootings, Governor Bill Lee announced his revised plan surrounding by state Republican leaders.

Democrats and teachers have roasted the administration for a lack of action following last week’s shooting at the Covenant Christian school in Nashville that killed 3 children and 3 adults.

This afternoon, the Governor laid out his revisions of the funding and bills he submitted earlier this session.

They’ve added money and provisions to put an armed security guard at every Tennessee public school.

The plan will also boost physical security at both public and private schools plus increase mental health resources for Tennesseans.

The Republican plan does not include any gun restrictions in the state.

“There is nothing more important than our students safely returning home each day,” said Gov. Lee. “As Tennessee grieves the tragic loss of six precious lives in the Covenant shooting, we are taking additional actions to significantly boost safety measures at every school with highly-trained guards, physical security enhancements and mental health resources. I thank Lieutenant Governor McNally, Speaker Sexton and members of the General Assembly for their partnership as we pursue thoughtful, practical solutions to protect Tennessee students and teachers.”

Here is the Governor’s new revision of the school safety package:

Enhanced School Safety Legislation (HB322/SB274)

• Enacts a multi-tiered accountability plan to ensure exterior school doors are locked while students are present, with opportunities for corrective action. State and local law enforcement will be authorized to check for unlocked doors
• Requires that private security guards are held to a high standard and receive active shooter training prior to being posted at Tennessee schools
• Requires every school district to establish threat assessment teams, a nationally recognized best practice to ensure students are connected to support services and behavioral health professionals, when appropriate
• Requires every public and private school to develop annual safety plans, which must include a newly required incident command drill for school leaders and law enforcement to prepare for what to expect in various emergencies

FY23-24 Budget Proposal:

• $30 million to expand a statewide homeland security network with 122 agents serving students at both public and private schools
• $140 million to establish a School Resource Officer (SRO) grant fund to place a trained, armed security guard at every public school
• $20 million for public school security upgrades
• $7 million for private school security upgrades
• $8 million for additional school-based behavioral health liaisons across the state

Critics have accused the Governor of dodging the issues from the shooting by not facing the media until today.  He has recorded a message and attended memorial services for one of the victims who was a friend of his family.

In a press conference this afternoon, the Governor acknowledged that this was a first step and more action would be needed.

Democratic lawmaker John Ray Clemmons was not impressed by the Republican plan.

“It’s been a whole week since The Covenant School shooting, and Bill Lee has yet to utter the word “gun.”  This fact evidences a political cowardice that plagues our Capitol and threatens every community.

The need to put an armed security guard in every school is a result of the real problem.  It is NOT a solution to the problem.

I am appalled that Governor Lee would rather militarize our schools and make our children feel imprisoned in their own learning environment than reach across the aisle to pass common sense gun safety legislation.

We, as Democrats, remain committed to pushing legislation such as “red flag laws” and to encourage responsible gun ownership, and we hope our Republican legislative colleagues will work with us on these efforts.  Hopefully, they will demonstrate the courage that is so sorely lacking in the governor’s office.”