No Guns For Teachers: Illinois Association Of School Boards

LOMBARD, IL — Members of the Illinois Association of School Boards voted 203-179 Saturday against a resolution that would have given school districts the option of arming staff members. The resolution would have allowed local districts to decide whether to permit properly trained staff members to be armed with weapons as part of the district's overall student safety and protection plan.

"Districts opposing the measure opined that arming staff would not create a safer environment for their students," the IASB said, adding the intent of the proposal was to "give local school districts the authority to decide what is best for their communities."

A statement released by IASB added, "The resolution was supported primarily by rural school districts with concerns about emergency response time and lack of financial resources to employ school resource officers."

Some districts, including several in southern Illinois, have shown an interest in arming teachers, while several in the Chicago area have rejected proposals to consider providing staff with weapons and training.

• Armed Teachers: IL District Wants To Be 1st To Give Teachers Guns
• Suburban District Unanimously Votes Against Armed Teachers

In another suburban district, board members are mulling a proposal that would allow armed retired police officers to be hired in support staff roles as an added security measure.

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