Williamson Co. Schools leaders: Is more security needed after Covenant School shooting?
The question was asked multiple ways Monday night in Franklin, just hours after a shooter killed three students and three adults at The Covenant School in Nashville: What do Williamson County Schools need to improve their security?
"I know that our parents are concerned,” said county school board member Eliot Mitchell before he asked the district’s safety and security director to present a safety overview to the board next month.
Other board members also asked County Schools Superintendent Jason Golden how any security needs could be expedited.
The security discussion emerged as the board approved more than $16 million in capital requests for the school board's 2023-24 budget.
‘Full community effort’
Budget documents show that about $2 million of those funds are earmarked for security needs.
"Especially in light of the events of today, I guess it's a good time to reflect and ask, what kind of safety and security needs are there that we are not addressing in this budget?" said board member Jay Galbreath.
"I know it's more than this."
Golden said most of the funding would be used for more cameras and replacing locks on doors.
School administrators already continue to work regularly on improving security, Golden said. He wasn’t sure if the shooting would change their security plan, though he said more discussions were forthcoming.
"But let me tell you, you think about when the tragedy at Uvalde happened, most every entity, including law enforcement, went back and did a review of their process,” Golden said. "I don't want to imply we have this solved. It's a daily, daily effort. It is a full community effort to provide safety for our students."
Door monitor explored
Board member Dan Cash said one of the district’s “weak links” are "doors being left open or propped open."
He said technology exists that will tell office workers when doors are open.
While Golden admitted that open doors have been an issue, he’s “seen some growth” in people on campus keeping those doors closed.
He also indicated that discussions are underway about a system to monitor open doors and the cost.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Williamson leaders question if kids are safe after Nashville shooting?
