School safety changes: ‘Bulletproof’ vs. ‘shatter-resistant’ windows and doors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The tragedy at The Covenant School sparked a state-wide conversation on how to better protect students in our schools.

One solution was ‘bullet-resistant glass’, but the film being added to all public schools in Tennessee is not actually bulletproof.

Many parents wanted to know the specifics of these safety changes at local districts so WSMV4 Investigator Courtney Allen took a closer look.

What is being installed is shatter-resistant film. While bullets can still go through this film, the film prevents the glass from shattering and allowing a threat to walk into a school like what happened at Covenant.

It was Gov. Bill Lee’s school safety bill passed last year that made this a requirement. Lawmakers changed the language of the bill in April to amend the words ‘bullet-resistant’ to ‘clear, entry-resistant film.’

“The first part, section one, deletes a code reference to bullet-resistant glass,” Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, said during a House floor session at the Capitol in April. “Bullet-resistant glass does not exist. It is entry-resistant film.”

So far, Metro Nashville Public Schools has completed installation at about one-third of its schools. The process involves detailed measurements of each window and glass door, both inside and outside, to make sure each film is the right size. MNPS said it may take until the end of this school year to get all 130+ schools finished.

Wilson County Schools approved a vendor this summer to get installation started. All of Williamson County Schools already have film.

“We’ve been working on this for the past seven years,” WCS spokesperson Carol Birdsong said.