Graham ISD approves policy opening door to armed staff

The Graham ISD School Board opened the possibility for select district staff members “to possess and use firearms” on campus after amending two local policies Wednesday. Superintendent Sonny Cruse and a subcommittee have been in discussions about options to improve safety and security for GISD students and staff. Along with several other options, one that was approved lets the district authorize certain staffers “to possess and use firearms,” according to an agenda memo presented to the board. “This is tied back to school safety, and what this would allow us to do is to put a Guardian Plan in place, whereby we could very possibly have select staff members carry firearms, and I have been working on that issue,” Cruse said. “I met with Doc Lewis many, many times. I have met with a team from the Sheriff’s department, a team from the Graham Police Department. If we do decide to move forward with that, we will be doing training and all sorts of things with them. We have started working on our procedures for that and I feel very confident that we can do it and do it very well.” Revisions The revised language to the local policy was provided to the district from the Texas Association of School Boards and reviewed by the district’s attorney. The purpose of the revision as stated in the document is to address concerns about response time to emergency situations at schools, in situations which include invasion of a school by an armed outsider, a hostage situation, actions of a student who is armed and poses a direct threat of physical harm to himself or others, and similar circumstances. “Pursuant to its authority under state law, the Board may, from time to time, authorize specific District employees or officials to posses certain firearms at Board meetings and at school-sponsored or school-related events on school property, to the extent allowed by the law,” the proposed revision states. The board and/or someone it designates to do so must issue written authorization to the approved employee and official. However, no one will be made to participate in the firearms program – it is strictly voluntary, the document states. The board or its designee can also revoke the authorization at any time and it will automatically be revoked if the person is placed on administrative leave, resigns, is not renewed, is terminated, or no longer serves the district in an official capacity. Only a district employee or official who maintains a current license to carry a handgun issued by the state of Texas is eligible for authorization to possess a firearm on district property. Each employee who is authorized would be provided additional training in crisis intervention, management of hostage situations and other training the board deems necessary or appropriate. The final revision to the document also states only district-approved ammunition is permitted for firearms allowed on district property. For the rest of this story, subscribe to our print or online edition.