School District moves forward with Guardian Program
If approved, would allow trained staffers to be armed on campus
The Lee County School Board moved a step closer to providing for armed volunteers in schools.
The first reading of the district’s proposed Guardian Program was presented to the board Tuesday afternoon.
If ultimately approved, the district would partner with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to allow designated district employees who volunteer to train for an armed response to an on-campus threat.
Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said the policy is being developed in accordance with a resolution the board passed in early March.
The district released a survey to solicit some information from current employees on who might want to participate and implementation protocol remains a work in progress.
“We are going to need a set of volunteers that are ready to enter into the sheriff’s training program. We will not move into that until we develop policies and procedures,” Bernier said.
The policy discussed defines a guardian as “any member of a designated employee group in the district who has successfully completed all of the training requirements and prerequisites.” The individual, a full-time employee in good standing, would be a volunteer and there would be no monetary benefit except from a one-time stipend of $500.
A guardian’s purpose, would be “to defend life from an active threat on any district property.”
Safety, Security Emergency Management Executive Director David Newlan said the idea is that a guardian would abate the active assailant.
Newlan said a committee will be formed to go through the applications with a final recommendation going to the superintendent.
Bernier said the way the policy is written, which is similar to other school districts, the superintendent’s decision for denial stops that applicant from going any further into training.
“This would eliminate them from day one. If someone was approved, they still have an immense amount of work to go through. There is ample opportunity for people to still not make it. The standard in which they are required is extremely significant,” he said.
Once approved, the employee would undergo a background check to include both a psychological evaluation and drug screening. They will also have to complete “the required statutory training and any other requirements set forth by the LCSO.” Newlan said the training will be around 160 hours, which is more than the minimum 144 hours required.
Board member Debbie Jordan questioned the training hours during the meeting. According to the policy, the district will treat the “required training hours, as regular duty hours, as long as it is part of their normal 40 hour work week.” If the training goes beyond 40 hours, there is no additional pay.
“This is volunteer, but yet we are doing this on a work day where they are being compensated,” she asked. “I work in a school and I am doing my job. How do I do my job at school and do this training for 144 hours while doing my job at school?”
Newlan said they are looking at a summer academy but, based on the time the academy takes place, if they are working at their current position they will be compensated.
“They are not receiving extra income,” he said.
The policy also addresses equipment the guardian would use. LCSO would be responsible for inspecting all equipment, which may include firearms, ammunition, magazines, holsters, magazine holders, vests and identification. In addition, the district and LCSO must issue and approve all equipment, as well as inspect and document monthly.
“Guardians accepting the issued equipment shall abide by all procedures and sign an agreement attesting that they will follow all applicable procedures and responsibilities.”
The policy also states that guardians are only permitted to carry their issued firearm, and equipment, while on duty, at their assigned school and hours. In addition, the issued firearm, ammunition, and equipment would be stored in a domicile. The equipment also has to be secured in a vehicle lock box, designated by the district, when traveling to and from their residence.
“When they leave school property they cannot carry that firearm. We don’t want them stopping at a 7-Eleven with their firearm on them when leaving the district,” Newlan said.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com