Giles County board votes to pursue plan for coded rifle safes in schools after sheriff’s proposal

Sheriff Kyle Hilton proposed that Giles County install a coded, mounted rifle safe in each school building used by School Resource Officers so weapons would be stored on campus rather than in vehicles and could be accessed more quickly if needed. "What we're wanting to do is put a safe — gun safe — in every school," Hilton said, describing a designated, mounted location with coded access for authorized personnel.

Board members discussed operational and policy details: who would hold access codes, whether a backup authorized user would be needed, and the need for a sheriff's-department policy on safe access. Hilton said he would explore funding avenues if district dollars are not available. Doctor Beard said he had checked with the Tennessee School Boards Association and that "it's not any issues legally" for the district to proceed.

Board members agreed to move the idea forward as a formal program and policy discussion. On a motion to pursue development of the safe-and-policy proposal, the board voted by voice to approve moving forward; members instructed staff and the sheriff to negotiate policy particulars, identify funding options and return with details at an upcoming work session or special meeting so the board could consider formal adoption prior to the next school year.

The board did not adopt a procurement contract, appropriation amount, or final policy at the meeting; the motion approved only pursuit of the proposal and next steps, including drafting a policy, clarifying chain-of-custody for codes, and identifying funding. The presentation and vote were introduced under agenda item K.