DONELSON, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nearly a week after a shooter opened fire at a Georgia high school, school safety is top of mind across the country and in Middle Tennessee.
In Donelson, one academy shared how they are addressing safety concerns with a defense staff and bullet-resistant glass.
“I’d have to be willing to give up my life to protect the kids in our schools,” said Jeremy Hayes, Executive Director of Schools for Generation Changers Academy.
Hayes has worked in the Tennessee education system for the past several years. Now, he’s the Executive Director of Schools for Generation Changers Academy.
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“We simply teach reading and writing, it's our focus as well as the founding documents of our nation. We take a lot of pride in being American,” Hayes said.
The academy consists of two campuses—one in Donelson and one in Lebanon. The school has about 200 students from preschool to fifth grade. On top of higher academic standards, high security is also a main focus.
“Any moment in time you have to say I’m willing to sacrifice my own self to protect my students' lives,” Hayes said.
At Generation Changers Academy, the school has invested in bullet-resistant glass. “That's not our only line of defense but it's one step and every second in that type of situation matters,” Hayes said.
Without going into much detail for security reasons, he said the academy also has a defense staff made up of staff members including himself.
Arming teachers is a topic that has gained significant backlash, including Covenant parents, after Governor Bill Lee signed legislation allowing school districts to allow teachers to carry guns.
“Never really is it a smart idea to put a gun in the classroom because you never know what could happen,” Hayes said.
He said, without SROs, having a defense staff of administrative leaders is the best option.
“If someone comes in here with bad intentions, we are going to have the best opportunity to protect our students and our families,” Hayes said.
