Local education leaders expressed strong feelings this week about a proposed state law which would permit designated teachers to carry concealed weapons on school grounds.
If approved by Florida legislators and signed by Gov. Rick Scott, H.B. 1097 would revise a standing law that forbids weapons on school property and instead allow superintendents and principals to arm educators as they see fit.
But on a local level, it might not change much.
“I absolutely do not support teachers having guns,” Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson said. “I think no one but a law enforcement person should be in a school with a gun.”
The controversial legislation comes on the heels of last December’s shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., that left 20 students and six staff members dead.
Since then, local school districts have tightened security procedures and stepped up law enforcement presence in and around schools. School officials also will continue to meet with task forces to identify more ways to improve school security without compromising education.
“Fundamentally we are educators …. we are not security specialists, we are not armed guards,” said Santa Rosa County Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick. “Our desire here is to protect the role of a teacher … I want them focused on teaching, not security.”
Walton County Superintendent Carlene Anderson was inclined to share Wyrosdick and Jackson’s concerns, but said she was still conflicted about whether or not to support arming select teachers.
“This is not a black and white issue for me,” she said. “It’s one of those things where you say yes and no.”
On the one hand, Anderson said it is the duty of the school, and especially teachers, to protect students during the day, and if a threat presents itself, a concealed weapon might prevent a tragedy.
On the other hand, it’s another weapon on school property, and no matter the precautions taken, it could end up in the wrong person’s hands.
Educators across the nation are grappling with the same issue as law after law is proposed to deal with security issues in schools. In some states such as South Dakota, laws already have been passed that will allow teachers to carry guns, and a handful of other states appear to be headed in a similar direction.
“I didn’t think I’d have to be considering if it was a good idea for our employees to be carrying guns … but unbelievably we’re here,” Anderson said. “The danger and the fear … in education has grown exponentially in such a small period of time.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.