Tennessee Governor Bill Lee asked for an increase in the school security budget one week after the Nashville massacre at The Covenant School.
A transgender man aged 28 opened fire on students at a Christian private school. Six people were killed, including three children.
Lee stated that “This week will go down in history as one of the most difficult weeks in Tennessee’s recent past.”
Audrey Hale, a 28-year-old biological male from Nashville, carried out the killings, which claimed the lives of Cynthia Peak (61), Katherine Koonce (60), Mike Hill (61), and three children, Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney (all aged 9), on March 27.
Nashville Police officers arrived at the scene and shot Hale. She was being treated for mental and emotional disorders at the time.
Lee said that funds will be provided by the state for the installation of an armed security officer in every school in the state. This applies to both public and private schools.
He also stated that he would create a grant fund to enhance security in schools. He will increase funding for support services for mental health.
Lee stated that he asked the General Assembly for a variety of proposals to be considered. Lee stated, “I’m asking for the General Assembly to present a number of propositions to consider. ”
He stated, “There is nothing more important than our students safely returning from school each day.” As Tennessee mourns the six victims of the Covenant shooting, the school has taken additional measures to ensure safety in schools by adding highly-trained security guards, mental resources, and other security enhancements.
Tayna Cobbs, president of the Tennessee Education Association, praised this decision in a post on the TEA Facebook Page.
We are committed to the safety of students and educators.
Gov. Lee, meanwhile, appears resolute in beefing up security across the state. “There is no excuse to not have a guard in every school,” Lee said. “We cannot control evil, but we can do something. Our work to ensure the safety of Tennessee students and teachers will not stop.”
