Columbia Board of Education to discuss guns in schools

A new law takes effect in less than 30 days letting Missouri teachers carry guns in the classroom. But not everybody is on board.

On September 10th, lawmakers overturned Governor Nixon’s veto, which means the new measure becomes final next month. Columbia Board of Education members said they are planning to discuss it soon.

Right now in Columbia, the only people allowed to carry guns in schools are the Student Resource Officers who are part of the Columbia Police Department. There are currently four of those officers who work in the high schools and the Center of Responsive Education.

Christine King, the president of the Board of Education, said she does not think it is a fair responsibility to put on a teacher.

Christine King, CPS Board of Education President: “The idea is as soon as you are the designated person for our building, or say this building behind us, you’re responsible not only for your math class or your P.E. class, but you’re responsible for all the staff and all the students. And is that really how we want to manage our safety and security? And I would say as a board member, as an individual, that’s not how I would want to manager our safety and security.”

In addition to the four School Resource Officers, Columbia Public Schools have two safety and security directors. They are employees of the district, not the Columbia Police Department. The security and safety directors are not allowed to carry firearms inside schools.

The new law means the superintendent can designate up to two people per school to carry guns. Board member Jonathan Sessions said he thinks the directors should be allowed to have firearms in schools to protect students and faculty.

Jonathan Sessions, CPS Board of Education member: “Our safety and security officers are retired police officers. They’re individuals who have been through lots and lots of training, keep that training up to date. And at one time they were employed by the Columbia Police Force and this community trusted these individuals to serve and protect. And as a school district, I’d be willing to have a conversation regarding those two individuals. But if we started looking down towards arming teachers, I know I wouldn’t be in favor.”

Sessions said even without additional guns, Columbia Public Schools have enough precautions to keep all students safe. Every year, CPS has active shooter training, along with security locks on all buildings with buzzer systems and upgraded high definition security cameras.

Both King and Sessions said they think four School Resource Officers are not enough, and the school district should add more. They said it may be a possibility down the road depending on the school budget.

The board will discuss the issue for the first time since the override at their next meeting on October 13th. The new Missouri law will take effect 30 days from the veto session that was on September 10th.