title
A resolution honoring Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools' response to the Covenant School shooting on March 27, 2023, including the bus drivers who assisted with reunification efforts.
body
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2023, a mass shooting occurred at the Covenant School in Green Hills; and
WHEREAS, this senseless tragedy brought grief to our city and to all our city's school communities; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Nashville Public School ("MNPS") district mobilized and responded immediately, and personifying the spirit of "One Nashville," our school bus drivers rushed forward in nine school buses to carry Covenant school children and staff to safety and to reunification with their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, in recent history, our bus drivers have evacuated Nashvillians during flood, fire and the 2020 bombing downtown. At the height of the pandemic, the big yellow school buses delivered school supplies, academic materials and food directly into neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, behind the scenes, MNPS counselors offered support in its schools, but also at the reunification center for Covenant students and families; and
WHEREAS, MNPS security staff deployed the entire department to lend support and MNPS teachers and staff instinctively and immediately comforted students and each other; and
WHEREAS, the MNPS bus drivers who assisted on March 27 were Martha Suarez, Tonia Williams, George Thomas, Tracy Garton, Maurice Southall, Christina Wade, Alberta Houston, D.D. Helms, Kelly Bell, Nicole Ross, Tracie Williams, Sandra Coble, Steve Beauman, Gary Woodard, and Dewayne Ferrell; and
WHEREAS, Tracy Garton, a 19-year veteran of MNPS said "I want everybody to know that in times of need, good or bad, the Metro School bus drivers will always be there"; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council expresses its gratitude for the dedication displayed by the Metro Nashville Public Schools staff during tragedy and grief.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF ...
Click here for full text