CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recently signed Executive Order 97, which calls for the state to evaluate school security and training for law enforcement, and Clarksville-Montgomery County School System is taking steps to further ensure the safety of faculty, staff and students.
Lee’s order follows the school shooting which occurred at Rob Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, killing 19 children and two teachers. The order requires the Tennessee Department of Education to develop a set of best practices for school administrators to enhance building security and safety against unauthorized intruders.
“Parents need to have full confidence their children are safe at school, and thankfully Tennessee has built a firm foundation with our practical approach to security schools, recognizing crisis and providing confidential reporting of any suspicious activity,” Governor Lee said in a press release earlier this month. “This order just strengthens accountability and transparency around existing school safety and planning and assures Tennessee parents our efforts to protect students and teachers will continue,” Lee said in a press release.
Earlier today, I signed Executive Order 97 to enhance school safety and engage with parents, schools & law enforcement across Tennessee. Read more here. https://t.co/zUf5lTwkIx pic.twitter.com/irvZTIvjw6
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) June 6, 2022
A focus on building safety
CMCSS spokesman Anthony Johnson said the district has been proactive in making the necessary changes to enhance security.
“To help prevent intruders, all CMCSS schools have controlled front entrances where a visitor uses a buzzer and camera to request entrance into the building,” he said. “After the buzzer rings, school personnel can speak with the visitor and view them on camera; then they must electronically unlock a single front door to allow a visitor into the front office, require the visitor to check in using Raptor Visitor Management System, and then electronically unlock the door from the front office to access the main building.”
He added that all employees and students are trained not to open outside doors for anyone, to prop doors open and to ask anyone without a visible badge or visitor sticker to provide identification.
“School Resource Officers and other staff periodically check doors for proper locking, and there are signs affixed to outside doors to remind everyone not to prop the door or open for anyone.”
The school district has also been working to prepare community members on how to respond to active shooter incidents should one arise within the district. The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (C.R.A.S.E.) course, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training( ALERRT )in 2004, provides strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event,” Johnson said.
TDE Safety Guide
Lee’s order also requires the Tennessee Department of Education to develop a school safety resource and engagement guide aimed at assisting parents.
Brian Blackley, director of media for the Tennessee Department of Education, said the Tennessee Department of Education will create the guide, and that additional information will be shared in the coming weeks.
Johnson said the school system already has information available to CMCSS families.
“CMCSS currently has the Student Safety Guide families receive at the beginning of each school year that reviews school emergency response protocols. The Safety and Health Department, in collaboration with the Instruction & Curriculum Department, are updating the guide to provide additional resources,” Johnson said.
Johnson added that The School Safety Resource and Engagement Guide will be updated to include topics such as, how to engage and advocate for safe conditions at school, a SafeTN app, mental health resources, building security and compliance at school, standard response protocol, and a CMCSS Student Safety Guide.
“Additionally, the Communications Department will be refining resources on district and school websites to ensure safety and security information is easy to find and understand for families,” he said.
Community Engagement
Executive Order 97 goes on to encourage parents, families, and the local community to engage in school safety and partner with law enforcement.
“From a local level, schools address school safety collaboratively with the partners in their community. This includes local law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, emergency management, and 911,” Blackley said.
The order also directs Tennessee state agencies to provide additional guidance to help local school districts to implement existing school safety laws.
Participating agencies include the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Department of Mental Health, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. These organizations are working collaboratively to address school safety needs around safety and security, emergency planning, and policies.
Blackley said the Tennessee State Fire Marshall’s office is involved with improving school safety.
“The Fire Marshall’s office falls under the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. They are responsible for fire code in the schools and this agency also houses the Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission (POST), which oversees training and standards for school resource officers (SROs),” Blackley explained.
Johnson said the school district appreciates Lee’s efforts to strive for safer educational environments.
“Student safety has been, is, and will always be our top priority. CMCSS appreciates effective efforts and financial support from Governor Lee and the TN Department of Education to enhance our schools’ robust safety and security measures,” he said.