Mid-Missouri educators weigh in on idea of arming teachers in schools

Last week’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida has sparked a new conversation about how to best protect students.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump proposed offering bonuses to teachers who undergo gun training to carry a weapon in the classroom.

“The thought of teachers being armed in our classrooms brings on so many emotions for me. I just think its an outrageous idea,” said Kathy Steinhoff, a teacher at Columbia Public Schools and president of the Columbia Missouri National Education Association. “We are tasked with educating our students, growing them academically and personally, and that is just not something that should be put on the plates of teachers.”

State statute allows school boards to decide if employees with conceal carry permits can bring their guns on school grounds. The Columbia Public School Board of Education voted a few years ago to allow its three safety and security personnel, who are all retired police officers, to carry weapons inside school buildings.

The Missouri State Teachers Association, which represents more than 47,000 teachers across the state, supports that method.

Todd Fuller, a spokesperson for MSTA, said arming teachers isn’t the answer to better protecting students.

“They’re willing to protect students, but to put them in the position of being armed to protect students is asking something completely different,” Fuller said.

Dr. Larry Linthacum, superintendent of Jefferson City Public Schools, said the district is doing an internal review of its safety procedures, but is considering all options. Right now, teachers aren’t allowed to carry guns.

“At the end of the day, I want our teachers to focus on teaching and learning,” he said. “Again, it’s unfortunate we do have to have this, but it is the day and age that we’re in.”

Linthacum said the district’s safety coordinator will give a report and update of current policies at the March board of education meeting.