Class will not feel the same at Antioch High School this week. Metro Nashville Public Schools is implementing new security measures and says students and staff will spend the week focusing on emotional well-being, mental health support and community building.
The school is reopening to staff and teachers on Monday to prepare for the return of students on Tuesday.
The cafeteria where Wednesday’s fatal shooting took place will remain closed. And a new weapon detection system, called “Evolv,” will be in place. It is on loan from a company and being used as a pilot.
Evolv is a walk-through system for people arriving to school that uses sensors and artificial intelligence to detect prohibited items and weapons. (It is the same system used at Nissan Stadium and other venues and schools.)
The school’s existing Omnilert camera technology, which is designed to detect guns, did not alert during last week’s attack. School leaders said the distance and angle of the camera’s view was an issue, but that the system did function when law enforcement later drew weapons.
Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle said the new detection system will be studied to inform whether it will be more widely adopted.
Fears about school safety have been heightened across Nashville. Police made arrests of six separate students accused of making violent threats — including two who referred to Antioch — as well as the arrest of a student for having a handgun in a backpack.
Attendance was 5% below average on Thursday and 10% below average on Friday, according to Metro Schools, which cited fears and rumors as having an impact.
The district is hosting a “Stand with Antioch Day” on Monday and inviting students to wear the school’s colors of blue and white.
A student March For Antioch in support of gun control measures is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Tennessee State Capitol.
