Cleveland City Schools says it will not arm teachers

UPDATE:

April 26, 2024

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — Cleveland City Schools responded to the recent new Tennessee law that allows schools to arm teachers.

The school system will join both Bradley and Hamilton County Schools in continuing to only use school resource officers.

Cleveland City Schools made this statement:

“We continue to believe our partnership with the Cleveland Police Department and their specially trained School Resource Officers remains the best way to keep our students safe in Cleveland City Schools. We are thankful every day for their dedication to our school system.”

April 25, 2024

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – The sheriff and school superintendent in Bradley County say they will not take advantage of the new law on arming school employees to provide security at this time.

Here is their joint statement:

“Sheriff Lawson and Dr. Cash are aware of the House Bill allowing teachers to carry guns in schools. They have a great working relationship and both are very committed in keeping all of the children secure in the safest environment at all times. Sheriff Lawson will continue working diligently with Dr. Cash on ensuring the future safety of our children. Currently, all of the Bradley County schools are staffed with a School Resource Officer and some have more than one SRO. Also, our new budget makes a provision for one more School Resource Officer by the start of the next school year. This will result in both high schools and both middle schools being staffed with 2 SROs at each of the 4 schools. Because of our dedication and partnership with the Bradley County School District, we firmly believe that we have some of the safest schools around.”

Earlier this week, Hamilton County Schools made a statement that they do not want to arm their teacher either.