NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The bill to allow some Tennessee teachers to carry a gun at school advanced on Tuesday and is on the Gov. Bill Lee's desk.
HB 1202/SB 1325 has drawn heavy attention from parents, teachers, students and law enforcement. The bill would allow specially-trained teachers to carry handguns in their classrooms. Under the bill, parents would not know whether their child's teacher was armed or not.
The bill was revived this session and passed the Senate earlier this month. It passed the House today by a vote of 68-28. It was largely along party lines. Only four Republicans voted against it including Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin. The bill now goes to the Governor. He can sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.
We've gathered responses from school districts on the matter. If your district is missing, that means we just haven't received a response or they are waiting until after the Governor's office reviews.
Metro Nashville Police:
We will revisit after the Governor's Office considers.
Metro Schools:
We have a strong relationship with the Metro Nashville Police Department and agree that it is safest for only approved active-duty law enforcement officers to carry weapons on campus. This has been our consistent practice at MNPS, and we have no intention of changing it.
Williamson County Schools
Over the past decade our district has worked closely with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office to make sure School Resource Officers, SROs, are assigned to each of our schools. The SROs in our schools are trained professionals and are vital to school safety in WCS.
The House and Senate passed a bill, which authorizes a faculty or staff member of a school to carry a concealed handgun on school grounds subject to certain conditions, which include in part:
- A Memorandum of Understanding between the school superintendent and the chief of the appropriate law enforcement agency.
- Obtaining a handgun carry permit.
- Completing annual training.
We are continuing to review the legislation and will be talking with our law enforcement leaders. However, the Governor has not signed the legislation and there is no memorandum of understanding. Therefore, faculty and staff are not authorized to carry a concealed handgun on school grounds.
I cannot stress enough how proud I am of the relationship our District has with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and of the School Resource Officers who serve our students and schools each day.
Rutherford Co. Schools:
Rutherford County Schools continues to monitor the proposed legislation that would permit school employees to carry firearms while at school. While the governor has not signed off on the legislation, if it were to become law, it would require an agreement between the school district and the local law enforcement agency, which in our case would be the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.
At this time, we do not see the need for this initiative in our schools.
Rutherford County Schools already has an extensive School Resource Officer program, which includes at least one trained, armed deputy in all schools. We also have a robust safety program, which includes training for all employees and a number of other safety and security measures. While we don’t disclose all the details of our safety program to the public — because such information is sensitive and could be misused — we have invested heavily in providing and maintaining safe learning environments.
Stewart Co. Schools:
It is too early in the process to make a decision or comment on whether or not we will implement the law in our system. Our school board will be a vital part in making this decision.
Clarksville-Montgomery Co. Schools:
We are continuously monitoring legislative actions, but as with all legislation, we will await until the bill is signed into law and we receive guidance from TDOE, TN SBE, TDOS, or other agencies before proceeding with considering or developing any local policies in accordance with the law. In CMCSS, we have a strong partnership with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), and other law enforcement agencies, and have armed MCSO SROs in all our schools, with more than one in our larger schools, who provide guidance, support, and security. We understand the uncertainty in the community around this bill and the mixed emotions of support and concern from families. As with all school safety laws, we will work in concert with MCSO and other law enforcement and emergency management agencies. Until we receive official guidance, we don’t have any comments on the bill or whether it will or will not apply to CMCSS.
Sumner County Schools
I have spoken with Sheriff Weatherford today and we agree: We will not arm teachers in Sumner County.
We respect that school districts across Tennessee have very different resources and needs, and we appreciate our state leaders recognizing those needs and giving districts the option to address them. We are fortunate here in Sumner County to have a partnership with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, who provides a trained Sumner County Sheriff’s Deputy, which we call School Resource Officers, on campus at every school in Sumner County. Our SRO program is currently ranked number one in the nation. I see their commitment to excellence each day.
We are thankful and appreciative of our partnership with the Sumner County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Weatherford and his team are deeply committed to our School Resource Officer division and the safety of our schools. Beyond just providing security, our SROs are a vital part of our school communities. They build relationships with our students and staff. Our SROs know our schools because they are a part of them. Our SRO division works hand in hand with our district’s Safe Schools team to assess school security daily and proactively plan ways to strengthen the security of our buildings for the safety of our students. Our Safe Schools team also works to coordinate student safety and well-being in each of our schools across the county.
They work proactively through crisis social workers, counselors, and mental health professionals to take care of our students. They also coordinate our school safety needs with local law enforcement agencies, Sumner County Emergency Management, Homeland Security, and all of our first responders. Our teachers and principals carry tremendous responsibilities in teaching and supporting our students in the classroom. Our teachers and principals already play a critical role in school safety by ensuring that our safety procedures are followed in our school buildings daily. We do not want to add one more task or responsibility to them.
Simultaneously, our law enforcement officers are the best in the state and nation. We are at our best when our teachers focus on teaching, and our law enforcement officers continue their work to ensure our schools and students are safe.
School safety is best achieved by a continuing conversation between our school district, our Sheriff's Office, local law enforcement and our community. We are committed to constantly strengthen and improve the security of our schools.
Lewis Co. Schools:
Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) has attorneys on staff that tend to give guidance when these new laws are passed. The Board and I will look at their guidance as well as discuss this with our Board attorney.
Trousdale Co. Schools:
At this time we would like to see the law and analyze the implications before making any decisions or comments.
Coffee Co. Schools:
There are not any plans to move forward with this MOU option at this time in Coffee County Schools.
Robertson Co. Schools:
No official response to offer. Will have to review the legislation and related rules before any decision.
Warren Co. Schools:
We have not had the chance to fully study the aspects of the bill that was passed. After we have the chance to do that, then we will have discussions with the board and our staff before deciding a way forward.
Maury Co. Schools:
Superintendent Ventura has not reviewed the legislation and has no comment at this time.
Cannon Co. Schools:
No decisions have been made at this time.
Wilson Co Schools:
We really don't have anything to offer at this time. It will likely be discussed at upcoming school board meetings with the director and board body.
Montgomery Co Sheriff's Office:
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) have had a long-standing relationship in promoting school safety. CMCSS currently has 43 schools with over 5,000 staff members and more than 40,000 students. The MCSO has provided a law enforcement presence in our local schools for 3 decades now. Currently, there is a certified School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to each school, with an additional SRO assigned to each high school.
School safety is a top priority in our district. Just as other law enforcement agencies and school districts across Tennessee have and should be doing, we along with our CMCSS partners, will continue to progressively explore new strategies, technology, and any practical and reasonable measure that improves school safety.
The new bill regarding the arming of teachers in our school system is something that we will have to analyze thoroughly with our CMCSS partners. Should this bill come to pass, our office will provide our input and expertise to the CMCSS administration, and determine how, and if, this will apply to our local schools.
We will update you as more responses are available.
It's truly the small things that add up to a great day - and Warrick in Lebanon is having a big impact. His familiar face is becoming a staple in one part of the community and inspiring closer connection in the simplest way. Enjoy his warm personality! You may even feel inclined to wave to a stranger today, too.
-Rebecca Schleicher
