School Safety Package Includes Funding for Officers, Training

Lee advances plan with funding designed to keep schools safe

Gov. Bill Lee recently signed a package of legislation designed to enhance school safety in the wake of a deadly shooting at Covenant School in Nashville. The bills include funding for additional School Resource Officers (SROs) as well as Homeland Security officers in each school district. There is also funding including to provide training to private security officers who work in schools.

“Nothing is more important than Tennessee students and teachers returning home from school safely each day,” said Gov. Lee. “Every year since 2019, we’ve worked with the General Assembly to prioritize school safety, and this year, we’ve passed significant measures to fund an armed SRO for every public school, enhance mental health support and boost physical security at public and private schools across Tennessee.” 

Lawmakers expressed support for the efforts made by Lee to improve safety at both public and private schools.

“Governor Lee and my colleagues in the General Assembly have made great strides on school safety over the years,” said Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally. “But more needed to be done and we answered that call this session. Hardening security at our public and private schools is no longer just a priority, it is an imperative. 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. I would like to thank Governor Lee for bringing the legislation and Leader Johnson and Chairman Lundberg for shepherding it through the Senate. This historic investment makes clear our state’s commitment to keeping our schools safe.”

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