As Gun Debates Are Happening Around the County, New Deal ISD Has Allowed Teachers to Carry for Years
The shooting that occurred a few weeks ago at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida sparked debate on whether or not schools should allow teachers to carry handguns. KAMC News conducted an interview with New Deal ISD Superintendent Jimmy Noland, since New Deal ISD implemented a similar policy five years ago.
Superintendent Noland said that staff attend both psychological and weapon training by law enforcement, before they're allowed to carry weapons on campus. With heated debates going on around the country with state and federal government deciding whether or not to allow campus carry for teachers, he goes on to say, "the government has no place telling teachers or staff what they should do in this particular security scenario."
Staff in New Deal ISD are given an app to use on their phone, that allows any staff member to press a button to send the school into lockdown, and notify local police.