With a few different House File bills moving through the Iowa Legislature about school safety, the Marshalltown Community School District took the time to discuss the possibility of school staff carrying guns. Eric Weeden, Safety and Security Coordinator for MCSD, and Mike Tupper, Marshalltown Police Chief both spoke. Weeden brings up a few questions he has about the bill.
Weeden reminds the board that Marshalltown High School does have a full-time armed school resource officer and he would be in support of hiring another SRO or trained armed security. Chief Tupper spoke next.
He speaks about teachers already having a lot going on in the classroom, adding a firearm isn’t the solution.
Chief Tupper says that whatever direction the school board decides the Police Department will be there in support and help wherever they can. Weeden, Tupper, and the School Board all admit it is a complex issue they are trying to solve.
Zach Tomesch, News Director KFJB