Nashville Schools Face Safety Dilemma: The Need for Fundamentals Over Technology

Nashville Schools Focus on Safety: Technology vs. Basics

Nashville, Tenn. – As schools across the nation introduce high-tech safety systems, including weapons detection technology and panic alarms, experts are urging educators to return to the foundational aspects of safety first. The conversation around school security has intensified following recent incidents that highlight the need for effective protective measures in educational settings.

Kevin Wren, a school safety advocate and advisor for the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), emphasizes that while advanced technology plays a role in keeping schools safe, it is often misapplied or deemed ineffective without a solid groundwork. “When it comes to physical school security, products generally fit into three categories: gun-related technologies, artificial intelligence/cloud solutions, and communications tools,” Wren explained.

In detail, Wren noted that the gun-related technology includes three main sub-categories: audible detection systems, metal detectors, and advanced camera analytics designed to detect firearms. However, he voiced concerns about districts investing heavily in these systems without addressing more fundamental safety measures.

Investment in School Safety

Last year, Tennessee allocated a budget of $230 million focused on enhancing both training and physical security in schools. The funding was directed towards various initiatives, including placing school resource officers in every school and enhancing mental health support through the addition of School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons. Despite this significant investment, Wren pointed out that some districts might not utilize the funds effectively due to a lack of structured guidance.

Wren noted that legislators often fail to create specific spending standards, which can lead to districts making uninformed purchases. “When school administrators receive funding without the knowledge of security best practices, they may not know the right questions to ask – or how to best utilize the funds,” he said.

The Importance of Training

One major concern identified by Wren is the lack of training for staff and personnel. “Schools must prioritize training their staff to respond effectively to emergencies,” he emphasized. “Sometimes, districts focus too much on acquiring high-tech systems and overlook the need to prepare their people properly.”

He pointed out that technology, no matter how advanced, cannot replace well-drilled protocols and trained personnel. “For instance, a locked door is an effective safety measure that has been proven to work. In contrast, we cannot guarantee that a high-tech AI system will effectively identify a potential threat,” Wren said.

A Balanced Approach to Safety

While acknowledging that high-tech products can contribute to a safer environment, Wren stressed that they must be part of a comprehensive approach that includes fundamental safety measures. “Before leaning towards cutting-edge technology, schools need to focus on basics that often come with little to no cost but have a maximum effect on safety,” he advised.

The push for enhanced school safety continues as administrators, lawmakers, and community members grapple with finding the right balance between technology and traditional safety measures. As Nashville and other cities seek to protect their students, the call for a grounded approach to safety remains loud and clear.