The Knox County Schools Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution affirming that school resource officers (SRO) and law enforcement officers will remain the only armed personnel allowed in schools.
This resolution came from board member Kristi Kristy, one of two school board members who proposed separate resolutions to oppose the new law that allows teachers to carry guns in school. Board member Katherine Bike made the other resolution, but withdrew it due to concerns that the two resolutions ultimately accomplished the same thing.
“I will move to remove this from the agenda only in hopes that the community can feel comforted that we are all on the same page by the other resolution that did pass,” said Bike.
Prior to the vote, Knox County residents urged the school board to make an official statement on where the county stands on armed teachers in schools.
Several spoke in favor of explicit opposition to the law, such as parent Samantha Sing.
“I watched this law get passed. I watched the legislative sessions, the committees, and I understand that in some rural areas in Tennessee, there might not be law enforcement in every school. But there definitely are law enforcement officers in every school in Knox County. As a parent, it is very important to me that this board says very firmly that we will not arm our teachers. Anything less than that is saying that you’re planning to allow our teachers to carry guns. Our students, families, and frankly our teachers and staff deserve a firm understanding of where you stand on this,” said Sing.
Local activist and former school board candidate Andre Canty also emphasized that having guns in schools will result in students getting harmed and creating an even more tense atmosphere.
“What this proposal to arm teachers, it further illustrates the prison to school pipeline. What it does is illustrate to children that there is no safe place. Particularly where some people will not be informed about armed teachers in their school, so it creates that unease and that trauma as the previous speaker said. And increases more anxiety and more (tenseness), you’re already in a tense situation,” said Canty.
However, not every resident wanted an opposing resolution.
Knox County resident Sean Murphy told board members that he used to live in the Sandy Hook community and said that the district is making the same mistakes by making a statement opposing the law.
“The mere fact of eliminating a gun-free zone, meaning I’m asking you to do the following: pass a resolution that says guns are allowed in the school. You will not speak in public as to who’s allowed and you don’t have to allow anybody. The mere fact of eliminating a gun free zone will make a big difference because shooters target schools,” said Murphy. “We want to make sure that we have the element of surprise. So, you can pass a resolution that says guns are allowed, you can just privately say we’re not arming anybody. That’s one thing we need to do and be responsible and stop being so emotional about guns.”
Bill Sofield was another parent who chose to speak against the resolution. Sofield told board members law enforcement cannot guarantee the safety of school children or staff and victims need to have the option to protect themselves.
“If the police are honest, however, they’ll tell you that they cannot guarantee the safety of school children or staff. They’ll do their best, but they cannot make assurances. This is what we’re talking about tonight when every other safeguard has failed, do you want the victims to have an option or not? Your resolution is going to prevent victims from having options. The only thing they’ll be able to do if all the other options fail is cower and pray that someone with a gun shows up in time,” said Sofield.
