Open Records and the School Safety Exception: What Tennessee’s Latest Covenant School Decision Means

After the Covenant School shooting, public-records requests sought access to Metro Nashville’s investigative file, including the shooter’s writings. A trial court blocked disclosure entirely, but the Tennessee Court of Appeals rejected that blanket secrecy.

The court held that investigative files are generally public once an investigation ends, the school-security exception must be applied narrowly with redaction, and copyright or victims’ rights laws do not automatically prevent disclosure.

This decision clarifies how transparency and safety are balanced under Tennessee’s Public Records Act.