http://www.yankton.net/articles/2013/02/06/community/doc5111ddfe109ca022708928.txt

Hutchinson Co. School Officials Leery Of Sentinels

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Officials from Hutchinson County schools are expressing their disinterest in legislation making its way through the state Legislature that would allow local school boards to place armed, trained personnel in their school buildings.

Some officials believe the bill has raised more questions than it answers.

Chris Christensen, Menno’s superintendent, said he doesn’t think some of the legislatures around the nation have thought through all the implications that the bill would cause.

“There would be liability issues with the training,” he said. “Would schools be able to get liability insurance to cover accidental shootings or students killed from friendly fire? Do guns only go off when they are supposed to, and do they always hit only the intended target?”

He added that he doesn’t think they do, so one cannot conclusively say that guns are safe.

HB 1087, which passed the House last week, says that the school board must obtain the approval of the local law enforcement official who has jurisdiction over the school campus before implementing the sentinel program. In addition, any person who is hired for the position must complete a school sentinel training course and nothing in the bill authorizes any person to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

The bill also states that any discussion by a school board regarding the program will be conducted in a closed meeting without any printed materials or record available to the public.

Pam Tieszen, principal and superintendent at Freeman Academy, a private, Mennonite school, said the core values at her school teach service, nonviolence and respect for all people.

“I do not anticipate our board considering the idea of placing a sentinel in our school,” she said. “We feel as if it’s more appropriate to discuss and train staff to be aware and recognize community members who are in need, or facing mental crises, rather than placing a sentinel in the school.”

“Our teachers strongly feel that peace and nonviolence carries more power than a sentinel or weapon. That doesn’t mean that violence can’t happen here, but we have a different perspective on how to deal with each other and our students.”

Tieszen added that having a sentinel in Freeman Academy would not bring the security school officials are looking for, but would only draw more attention to fears that can be addressed in more peaceful ways.

Lynn Vlasman, superintendent at Tripp-Delmont, said he believes the bill was brought forward with good intentions, but it places too high a burden on local school boards and sheriffs in answering a rather lengthy list of questions on how to implement such a program.

“How much training would be needed for staff members?” he asked. “What happens when the trained staff member takes employment elsewhere?”

Vlasman also asked who would own the weapon — would it be the individual or the district? Also, who is liable for the employee that is trained?

“I believe that a majority of our school district staff members would not feel comfortable serving as a sentinel, but there probably are some that would consider it,” he said. “However, in it’s current form, I see the bill creating more questions than answers, and I think our local school boards may be overwhelmed in trying to answer those questions.”

Shayne McIntosh, who serves as superintendent at Parkston schools, said he appreciates the Legislature listening to schools and helping them identify a potential problem and working to fill that gap.

“We take school safety very seriously,” he said. “However, I am not convinced that the creation of a school sentinel program is the answer. Rather, I would like the Legislature to provide the funding so that schools can make a serious effort to hire resource officers and communities to hire mental health experts.”

Christensen said every teacher he has heard from is against having guns in schools and believes schools will be no safer if the bill passes.

McIntosh agreed, saying he believes most teachers and administrators feel they do not have the skill set or mental preparation to be put in such a position.

“I do not believe that a person who is in the state of mind to shoot defenseless children would be deterred by this law,” he said. “They would find other opportunities like waiting for recess, a ball game, lunch hour or some other opportunity.”

There was no response at press time from officials at Freeman Public School.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal