Cherokee schools panel opposes armed teachers

Students pass by a Laurens County Sheriff’s deputy stationed at East Laurens High School on Tuesday, May 2, 2018, in Dublin. Laurens County is the first school district in Georgia to allow teachers and other school personnel to carry weapons. An ad hoc school safety committee in Cherokee County, however, recently issued a report that opposes arming teachers and staff, other than certified police officers. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Students pass by a Laurens County Sheriff’s deputy stationed at East Laurens High School on Tuesday, May 2, 2018, in Dublin. Laurens County is the first school district in Georgia to allow teachers and other school personnel to carry weapons. An ad hoc school safety committee in Cherokee County, however, recently issued a report that opposes arming teachers and staff, other than certified police officers. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Security foyers at more schools, more buzzer-camera entry systems, and hiring additional school police officers, counselors and psychologists – but not arming teachers – are among the recommendations of an ad hoc safety and security committee of the Cherokee County schools.

Formed after the Parkland, Fla., school shooting, the committee of law enforcement personnel, district officials and parents visited schools, reviewed parents’ suggestions, surveyed student delegates, got feedback from outside experts and read up on research and trends.

In a report to the School Board, the committee “strongly recommends” hiring personnel to identify and assist troubled students, but opposes “any action that would allow teachers or other designated CCSD staff (with the exception of certified police officers) to possess or carry a firearm on CCSD properties.”

Other recommendations included annual training for staff and middle and high school students in responding to active shooter incidents. The committee's report is posted at: https://bit.ly/2FFtA6Z