Cherokee, Iowa — A second northwest Iowa school district has opted to allow school staff to carry firearms in school.
Our news partner, KTIV-TV, reports that the Cherokee Community School Board voted Monday night to change its policy language to allow additional staff to be armed.
The yes vote was unanimous, but some members of the community were opposed, while others supported a policy change.
Questions were raised about when discussions began to change the policy because some people in the community say they felt left in the dark.
Kim Lingenfelter, the community school board superintendent, says the initial discussions began in July. Lingenfelter says they were approached by staff that wanted to carry, that carry a gun competently wherever they go except for school. She says that’s how our conversation began, and they asked that it be brought it to the school board, then conversation began with law enforcement officials, chief of police, school resource officer, according to Lingenfelter.
No final decisions have been made regarding how many staff members will be armed. Any staff member interested in being armed, which requires professional development and weapons training, is asked to contact Superintendent Lingenfelter.
The Superintendent says those decisions will be left up to the professional trainers who will provide the required training to interested staff members, according to KTIV.
Cherokee becomes the second area school district to approve certain staff carrying firearms in school. In August, the Spirit Lake school board adopted a similar policy.
Our previous reporting on the Spirit Lake story can be found below……………………
https://kiwaradio.com/local-news/northwest-iowa-school-district-votes-to-have-armed-staff-in-schools/
