The following may be attributed to Knox County educator and Tennessee Education Association President Tanya T. Coats:
“If we want a safe school where our children can succeed academically, we need to have educators focused on teaching and trained and certified officers focused on safety. HB1202/SB1325 puts both our children’s education and safety in jeopardy. The Governor’s decision to add recurring funding to pay for a School Resource Officer in every Tennessee school—a measure TEA supported—was a great step forward in ensuring safer schools. This bill is a misstep that will increase the likelihood of accidental shootings and increases the likelihood of harm coming to our students. We urge our legislators to focus on tried and proven measures to increase school safety—not measures that could put our children in greater danger."
