School Shooting Prompts East Tennessee Faith-Based Private Schools To Increase Security Measures

Image Credit: Canva

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

After yet another school shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school, many faith-based schools across Tennessee are looking to ensure the safety of their students.

Although private schools are not subject to the same laws that require school security officers, and they are not granted the funding that many public schools receive, many parochial schools are finding ways to provide that same level of security.

Knoxville Catholic High School released a statement assuring parents that armed security personnel are on hand just outside of the building at all times. Additionally, administrators and faculty are on high alert within the building, and all doors remain locked. 

Silverdale Baptist Academy and Brainerd Baptist Academy in Chattanooga employ armed security officers. River City Security and Investigations, a professional security service started by retired Chattanooga law enforcement officer David Allen Huggins, also contracts with a total of nine private schools between Chattanooga and Cleveland for school security officers. 

Some schools who are not able to employ security have turned to parent-led programs for protecting students.

At Landmark Christian Academy in Oneida, their “School Guardian” program uses family members of students to serve as additional security. The program requires that all guardians must have a current Tennessee Enhanced Concealed Carry permit. Guardians do not enter the building armed unless there is an emergency situation.

“These aren’t paid professionals, so to speak, but they’re not random vigilantes off the street packing guns at our school either,” said Principal Misty Blevins. “They’re students’ parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles. They’re here just solely to protect the kids.”   

Sources:

https://www.wate.com/news/top-stories/east-tn-private-school-program-puts-armed-volunteers-on-campus

https://newschannel9.com/news/local/faith-based-private-schools-in-chattanooga-area-seek-security-funding-amid-safety-concerns-notre-dame-olph-chattanooga-christian-st-jude-collegedale-academy-boyd-buchanan-grace-baptist-silverdale

https://www.wbir.com/video/news/local/knoxville/knoxville-catholic-high-school-addresses-plans-for-security-after-shooting-at-catholic-school-in-minneapolis/51-9635c299-f45d-4108-b7fb-1b2b0cec6460