JC Bowman: After Antioch Tragedy, School Safety Can’t Wait

On Jan. 22, 2025, a tragic school shooting occurred at Antioch High School in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville. Seventeen-year-old student Solomon Henderson opened fire in the cafeteria, killing one student and injuring another before taking his own life.

This devastating incident underscores the urgent need to keep our focus on school safety.

Every child’s right to a safe learning environment is not merely an ideal; it is an imperative. The need to prioritize school safety transcends political discourse: it is a fundamental obligation. Schools must serve not only as places of learning but also as sanctuaries where students and teachers can thrive without fear.

Safety is not a secondary concern; it is a prerequisite for effective learning. Protecting individuals should be a top priority. This begins with early identification of safety issues, when regular risk assessments and safety audits become critical tools. Engaging stakeholders — teachers, parents, and students — in this process fosters a proactive culture that can significantly mitigate potential threats.

Clear, well-defined response protocols are essential to any safety strategy. These protocols should encompass emergency responses, regular training sessions and comprehensive safety plans that outline procedures and communication channels. It is vital to consider the unique needs of vulnerable populations, including those with special needs, to ensure that safety measures are inclusive.

Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s SafeTN App and Suspicious Activity Reporting Tools Enhance School Safety

Our educational institutions are not immune to those who seek to inflict harm. Premeditated attacks often conclude within minutes, leaving law enforcement with scant time to intervene. Consequently, lives are lost unnecessarily. Intruders frequently exploit their familiarity with a school’s defenses, making proactive measures all the more crucial.

A safe physical environment requires ongoing maintenance and the immediate resolution of issues. Security enhancements such as access control systems, surveillance cameras, ballistic glass, and the presence of school resource officers are indispensable. These measures help prevent unauthorized access and protect against various threats.

The last line of defense for our children may well be an armed individual prepared to act in the face of danger. Thus, expanding the school resource officer program is essential. SROs fulfill three pivotal roles: serving as safety experts and law enforcers, acting as problem solvers, and liaising with community resources and educators.

Their primary focus must remain on law enforcement and safety, not on administrative functions. The effectiveness of SRO programs should be defined and measured, and school and district leaders should defer to law enforcement expertise on critical issues, especially those involving someone who may be armed and dangerous on a school campus.

Education on safety procedures for both students and staff is vital, encompassing emergency response training for students and regular safety drills for staff. Community involvement, including parental engagement in safety initiatives, can enhance overall security and foster awareness of existing measures.

Tennessee’s zero-tolerance policy for mass threats, which imposes a one-year suspension on offenders, underscores the seriousness of this issue. Safety measures must not be static; they should be regularly reviewed and improved. Intruders are often well-versed in school defense systems, making it imperative to analyze incident reports and gather feedback to support ongoing improvement.

During emergencies, robust crisis communication strategies are absolutely vital. These strategies include not only reliable notification systems that swiftly alert everyone involved, but also the appointment of clear, articulate spokespeople. This ensures that every stakeholder receives timely, accurate information, fostering transparency and trust amid the chaos.

School safety policies must be adaptable and practical, addressing concerns proactively to enhance the learning environment. Safety should be a foundational element of education, and no viable option that promotes a safer atmosphere should be dismissed. This issue should not be subject to debate; the safety of children and adults in our schools must remain a top priority.

In today’s fast-paced world, ensuring school safety must be our top priority. It is essential for the well-being of our students, teachers, and community. By emphasizing safety, we can create an environment where learning can thrive without fear. Let’s collaborate to make our schools safe havens for everyone.

JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association located in Nashville.