Williamson Schools Officials Talk Safety At Forum

FRANKLIN, TN -- Williamson County Director of Schools Mike Looney told those gathered at a school safety forum Tuesday he is "diametrically opposed" to efforts at arming teachers.

“Why don’t we let the teachers decide whether they do or don’t, and let the parents decide whether their kids are in a classroom that has a teacher with a gun?” one man asked Looney, according to WKRN.

“Having a pistol permit is not anywhere adequate to being able to look another human being in the eye and pull a trigger, while minimizing the risk to others,” Looney, who served in the Marine Corps, said. “Nothing against teachers at all. I don’t think we’re equipped to provide the training necessary to have teachers prepare to do that.”

In the hours before the forum, which included school and law enforcement officials, a Tennessee State House committee advanced a bill which would allow teachers to be armed in schools that do not have a school resource officer. Also Tuesday, Gov. Bill Haslam unveiled a budget amendment which included, among other things, $30 million dedicated to school safety efforts.

Looney outlined efforts WCS has taken and will take to improve school safety, including upgrades to phone systems that will allow 911 operators to pinpoint where exactly inside a school building an emergency call is being made. In addition, high schools with more than 1,500 students will get a second SRO.

The district monitors social media accounts and investigates threats reported by students and others. In fact, Looney said, he believes school shootings have been stopped in Williamson County before.

“This might be a shock to you, but I want you to hear this,” Looney said. “The sheriff’s office, along with our school district, has prevented school shootings in Williamson County.”

Photo via Williamson County Schools