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Tennessee Conservative News Staff –
Knox County Schools (KCS) is moving forward with plans for a $70 million investment to increase safety across its campuses.
The district has been working to enhance safety measures since 2021, and they are committed to continuing to increase safety in ways that work for each individual school.
“Each one of our schools has a very unique safety plan,” Assistant Superintendent of Operations Dr. Garfield Adams explained. “Just think of some of our infrastructure — some schools have multiple sites, while others have a much smaller footprint.”
More than $4 million of the new funding will be used for physical improvements such as protective bollards, window-blasting films to help protect against explosions and high-impact events, and additional fencing.
“These added layers help ensure a safer environment,” said Chief of School Safety Carlo Granillo, “When people see these deterrents, it sends a message that this site is safe.”
KCS has also launched a new reporting system called Text-A-Tip, which allows families and students to quickly report threats or safety concerns directly from their phones.
“As a parent of kids who went through public school, I know you can never get information quick enough,” Granillo said. “We want to build that confidence in our community — that they can feel good about our school safety measures and public safety as a whole.”
The district is also preparing to pilot a weapons detection system in select schools.
Currently, more than 120 armed officers are stationed across Knox County schools to help deter threats and prevent weapons from entering campuses.
District data shows that weapons discoveries have remained low over the past three years — with fewer than 10 guns found annually. Officials reported 48 other weapons found two years ago, 49 last year, and nine so far this year.
“We have to be proactive,” said Granillo. “The days where I was a young kid and the campus was very much open — that was not even a thought or a concern. We have to evolve with the times and the conditions that might be present.”
