Two parents attended a public hearing regarding school protection officers prior to the Twin Rivers R-X Board of Education meeting to ask administration and members questions from liability to other safety options.
"We are just taking the initial steps and giving ourselves the opportunity to do it (arm staff members)," Superintendent Jeremy Siebert said. "It's a long process so all we are doing is beginning it."
Parent Jana McMahan was concerned with certain personnel being chosen to be armed on campus.
The school protection officers will be chosen by the administration and School Resource Officer Justin Brown. Only administration or certified personnel will be chosen, Siebert said.
"We will not force anyone if they are not comfortable," Siebert said.
Board President Jeff Arnold said the district is very blessed to have Brown because he knows the teachers well enough to offer his opinion for selections.
The names of the staff members who are armed would be kept anonymous.
"If this happens, it's going to be a minimal amount," Arnold said.
Siebert said he and administration envisioned one or two school protection officers in each building, totaling about eight districtwide.
According to Siebert, the participants will undergo an "intense" three-week training.
Brown is still looking into training provider options.
Another parent, Chadrick Parson, said he has noticed safety items put in place to make the schools more secure, including fencing at Fisk, a single entry and being buzzed into the buildings.
Before looking into arming staff members, Parson asked if other "baby steps" could be taken for school safety.
"Are we jumping off the cliff when we haven't walked to the edge yet," Parson asked.
Board Vice President Billy Watson said he felt some baby steps had been taken with hiring Brown as the school resource officer a couple years ago.
"That was actually a huge step," Watson said. "I think school security is important to everyone around this table or Officer Brown wouldn't be here."
Watson agreed in regards to fencing and other areas, the school could probably do a little better in certain places and agreed with Parson on taking those additional types of "baby steps."
Siebert added measures had been taken to add dead bolts on doors in classrooms throughout the district in the event a building were to go on lock down. This allows each classroom door to lock, as well as main entrances.
Landscaping has also been looked at when improving school safety. Bushes and shrubs have been removed to better improve visibility out windows and around the buildings.
Siebert added steps in staff training and student training with intruders has also taken place.
"We are trying to get ahead as much as we can," he said. "We are always open for more ideas. We will look at any option to keep our kids safe."
Liability was also a main concern for Parson and he wondered if the district could afford to take on adding school protection officers.
To be covered by the Missouri United School Insurance Council (MUSIC), the district must take the legal steps required, including the three week training for the employees chosen, Siebert said.
According to Missouri Laws 160.665 regarding school protection officers, any teacher or administrator seeking to carry a concealed firearm on school property shall also submit proof that he or she has a valid concealed carry endorsement or permit. All teachers and administrators seeking the designation of school protection officer shall submit a certificate of school protection officer training program completion from a training program approved by the director of the department of public safety. This demonstrates that such person has successfully completed the training requirements established by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) commission under chapter 590 for school protection officers.
The policy from the Missouri Consultants for Education states the selected personnel must be willing to assume the liability and have the firearm in their possession and control at all times. If not, the personnel could face a misdemeanor charge and could be subject to school termination proceedings.
McMahan said if it comes down to the district having school protection officers, she would stand behind the administration and board's decision and have to trust the system.
"The thing we don't want to happen is not take any steps we could have and something happen and look back and say what could we have done," Siebert said.
Following the public hearing, Arnold was elected as the new board president with Watson serving as vice president.
"I'm excited about my position and just want to do the best I can for the district," Arnold said.
Watson, who has served as vice president before, said he will continue striving to help the district.
"That is what I try to do each meeting and in between," Watson said.
In other action:
* The board approved the 2018-19 school calendar. Staff were presented with three options and voted on one to be approved by the board.
* The annual professional development plan for 2018 was approved.
* FFA students Natalie Baxter and Andrea Arnold presented their state bound speeches to the board. Baxter qualified for state after a first place district finish in Division II of public speaking. Arnold won second place in Creed speaking to qualify for state.
* During executive session the board unanimously rehired all non-certified staff and coaches.
Lorie Veazey was hired as a counselor at Fisk and Chris Newman was hired as a full-time substitute for the rest of the school year and a certified position for next year to be determined.
Resignations were accepted from Qulin speech pathologists Nancy Morse, Fisk Counselor Heather Eddy and head baseball coach Jared Stockton.
The next Twin Rivers R-X Board of Education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Central Office board room.