Murfreesboro, TN - In an unprecedented move to bolster school safety and enhance emergency preparedness, Rutherford County School Board Member Frances Rosales is urging lawmakers to mandate safety training for substitute teachers in Tennessee.

When Rosales first learned about a school shooting in Nashville, she knew only what was reported in short soundbites of what was first reported... As more information was confirmed, she quickly learned that one of the six people killed in the Covenant School shooting was a substitute teacher. The news hit close to home for Rosales... In Nashville, Cynthia Peak was the substitute teacher who was killed in the tragic event... Rosales resolution, which highlights the critical importance of ensuring that substitute teachers are well-equipped to handle security procedures and protocols in the event of emergencies, passed the Rutherford County School Board unanimously.

Another catalyst for this resolution was an incident that involved Rosales working as a substitute teacher... The county school board member says experiencing an unexpected lock-down revealed a glaring deficiency in substitute teacher training.

Recognizing the integral role substitute teachers play in the lives of students, the Rutherford County School Board is taking proactive steps to address this issue... Again, Rosales hopes to have the Rutherford County School Board vote on the proposed training for substitute teachers at their upcoming October 25, 2023 board meeting, which will be at 5:30 PM in the county school board office on Southpark Drive in Murfreesboro.

MORE ON SUBSTITUTE TRAINING - School Board member Frances Rosales said, "I brought this matter to the Board’s attention because we need to ensure that every individual who sets foot inside a school building is equipped with knowledge and safety protocols to effectively respond to serious situations.”

Rosales says "It's our moral duty to advocate for the highest level of safety in our schools. Requiring substitute teachers to undergo training on safety procedures is a logical and crucial step toward achieving that goal."

The resolution calls upon Tennessee lawmakers to create a law that mandates safety training for substitute teachers. This training will encompass a range of emergency scenarios, including lock-down procedures, evacuations, and crisis management. The ultimate aim is to empower substitute teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to protect students and themselves during unforeseen challenges such as in the wake of a school shooting.

"I believe that this is a fundamental step toward enhancing the safety of our schools. Our students deserve to be in an environment where every adult, including substitute teachers, is trained to respond effectively during emergencies," said Frances Rosales. "I am optimistic that state lawmakers will recognize the urgency of this matter and prioritize the safety of our children."

The Rutherford County School Board's commitment to school safety is unwavering, and this resolution represents a significant stride toward achieving a more secure educational environment for all students. School Board Member anticipates a productive collaboration with state lawmakers to make mandatory safety training for substitute teachers a reality in the near future.