New South Memphis School Drill Rules for Staff

Education Tennessee 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 08, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

In New South Memphis, Tennessee, school staff must follow state and district emergency drill procedures to protect students and comply with education safety expectations. This guide explains who enforces drills, what staff must do before and during drills, reporting pathways, and practical steps for documentation and appeals.

Keep records of drill dates, participants and outcomes for at least one school year.

Drill requirements and staff duties

Staff responsibilities typically include participating in planned drills, supervising assigned evacuation or sheltering zones, and completing post-drill reports. Districts usually set annual schedules and required drill types (fire, tornado/severe weather, lockdown/active assailant); consult your district and state guidance for exact lists and timing[1].

  • Plan: create an annual drill calendar and share with staff and parents.
  • Document: record date, time, duration, staff present, and issues encountered.
  • Train: run tabletop and full-scale exercises, with roles for staff and responders.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for school drill compliance is generally handled by the local school district and overseen by the Tennessee Department of Education for statewide policy and accountability. Specific monetary fines or statutory penalties for individual staff failure to perform drills are not specified on the cited pages; personnel discipline is typically managed under district employment policies or collective bargaining agreements[2].

If a drill is missed, file documentation and notify the safety coordinator immediately.
  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: district corrective or disciplinary measures; repeat breaches handled per HR or board policy, not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: corrective action, reassignment, mandatory retraining, or formal disciplinary proceedings.
  • Enforcer: local school district safety office and Tennessee Department of Education; fire department and local law enforcement may inspect and advise.
  • Appeals/review: follow district appeal or grievance procedures; time limits for appeals are set by district policy and employment rules, and are not specified on the cited page.

Applications & Forms

Most districts publish post-drill reporting forms or internal incident report templates; if no form is published, staff should submit a written report to the school safety coordinator. Specific statewide forms for staff drill compliance are not specified on the cited pages[1].

How-To

  1. Create or obtain the district annual drill schedule and assign staff roles.
  2. Run a table-top review of procedures with staff before the first live drill.
  3. Conduct the drill, follow the script, and ensure student accountability.
  4. Complete the post-drill report and submit to the safety coordinator within the district deadline.
  5. If there are compliance concerns, report to the district safety office and, if unresolved, contact the Tennessee Department of Education.
Documenting drills promptly protects staff and the school in case of later review.

FAQ

Who requires school emergency drills in New South Memphis?
Drill requirements come from the local school district policy and state education guidance; the district implements schedules and records compliance[2].
How often must staff participate in drills?
Frequency is set by district policy and state guidance; consult your district safety office for the annual calendar.
What if a staff member misses a drill?
Notify the safety coordinator, document the reason, and follow district absence or discipline procedures.

Key Takeaways

  • Staff must follow district drill schedules and document participation.
  • Penalties are handled by districts; monetary fines are not specified on cited pages.

Help and Support / Resources


  1. [1] Tennessee Department of Education - School Safety
  2. [2] Shelby County Schools - Safety & Security