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Knox County Schools to pilot AI-enabled threat detection and spend $2M on security upgrades
Summary
Chief Carlo Gurnio said the district's $2 million security appropriation will fund ballistic window film already installed districtwide, vestibule entrances at 21 schools, camera and server upgrades, additional bollards and a pilot of advanced camera analytics including AI-based weapons detection; the district also reported more than 150 tips from its TEQSA tool.
Chief Carlo Gurnio, the district’s chief of safety, said Knox County Schools received a $2,000,000 investment for school security this year and outlined planned infrastructure and technology improvements.
Gurnio told reporters the appropriation is funding upgrades the district is already rolling out, including ballistic-resistant window film installed across campuses, the addition of vestibule entries at 21 school sites, upgrades to camera systems and servers, and more vehicle bollards (30 campuses currently have bollards). “This year’s budget, we’re very blessed. Had an investment of $2,000,000 towards school security,” Gurnio said.
Nut graf: The chief said the district is also piloting advanced software to integrate the existing camera network and test proactive threat-detection tools, including AI-driven analytics to assist with weapons detection and threat assessment before individuals reach campuses. Gurnio said Knox County already operates about 6,500 cameras across 91 school sites and is layering analytics and intelligence to help detect potential threats earlier.
Gurnio emphasized the role of community-sourced tips and his office’s intelligence unit: the district’s TEQSA tip system received more than 150 tips in its first full year of operation, and “Text a Tip” software is installed on student Chromebooks and linked on the district website. He said that intelligence unit works with local, state and federal partners to monitor trends and inform local responses.
The chief acknowledged pilot testing before broader rollout: officials said they will first trial analytics on existing camera systems to evaluate performance and the feasibility of a districtwide expansion.
Gurnio also introduced law-enforcement partners present at the event, including U.S. Secret Service resident agent in charge Catherine Pierce, FBI assistant special agent in charge Scott Davis and Tennessee Homeland Security special agent in charge Mark McKee. The district said formal privacy and operational safeguards will be evaluated as new technology is tested.
Next steps include the pilot phase for advanced video analytics and ongoing coordination with partners on implementation timelines.
