Should local teachers be armed? Voices at Key West High School speak out
BY TERRY SCHMIDA
KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER
The flag flew at half-mast for a time at Key West High School; a grim reminder of the Valentine’s Day carnage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Inside, there is no shortage of opinions on a subject that’s taken center stage in national media, and inspired Florida lawmakers to act.
While Gov. Rick Scott is not in favor of arming teachers, many Florida legislators, and President Trump are. In announcing his $500 million “action plan” to combat school shootings, the governor promised to “provide sheriffs’ departments the authority to train additional school personnel or reserve law enforcement officers to protect students, if requested, by the local school board.” This proposition has become the most divisive element of the plan, and at Key West High School, feelings about this idea are mixed.
Rob Hill, a U.S. history teacher at KWHS, sees some merit in the idea.
“I’m willing to entertain the thought, if it was done in the right way,” he said. “I’ve heard that [the Florida House proposal] would mirror the armed pilots program, with law enforcement training, and yearly reviews. We might have weapons available in lock-boxes, like fire hoses. However it wouldn’t necessarily be teachers that I’d want to see using them. I’d rather see the armed [School Resource Officer] program expanded. I’ve also heard about schools having armed veterans’ patrol schools, which might be worth looking into. I’m a strong libertarian and supporter of individual rights, and I sometimes find myself agreeing with the ACLU and the NRA at the same time. But we have to be proactive in defending these children, because what we’ve been doing hasn’t been enough. I am in favor of some restrictions on guns. Age limits, background checks, and waiting periods are well within the limits of the Second Amendment.”
Monet Saunders, a 12th grade student, is also of two minds on the subject.
“I would feel safer knowing that my teacher has some kind of protection, but my friends don’t think anyone should be armed at all,” she said. “I also like the idea of a more closed campus, and more drills to prepare students to hide under desks, and in closets. We should also be tightening up existing security here. There are so many open spaces. I support that for sure.”
Another 12th grader, Shane Smith, was less enthusiastic about having guns at KWHS.
“I just don’t think that would be acceptable, because teachers aren’t skilled in that area,” he said. “We should have more patrols of the grounds. I just don’t think it should be done by teachers, unless they’ve been properly trained. It’s actually not something I hear my friends talking about.”
Media Specialist Sarah Smith has been thinking a lot about school security lately.
“I see both sides of this debate,” she said. “I personally wouldn’t want to carry a weapon. While I understand how more guns could help, the idea also scares me. I wouldn’t want the responsibility of bringing a gun to school.
Maybe they could keep them in the principal’s office, or in a safe. Ultimately we have to trust our SRO to protect us. We had a safety training last week. We try to make the kids aware of their surroundings, and where they might go in an emergency. We tell the kids to think in terms of ‘run, hide, fight.’ Running is the best option. If they can’t, they have to find a place to hide. . .We’re not trying to scare the students, just get them to keep their eyes open. But it’s just such an open campus . . .”
Principal Amber Acevedo is squarely against having her teachers armed, though she also thinks heightened security at the school is inevitable.
“A teacher’s priority is to educate students, not to provide armed security,” she said. “I want them to be able to stay focused . . . There are other ways to maintain safe campuses. We definitely need to increase security, and increase awareness among students and staff. We do have regular training for these kinds of situations, and try to get students to always be aware of their surroundings. There’s also a lot more that could be done to provide more services for emotional health in the school, and in our society.”
The steps taken by local schools to protect students may depend somewhat on Sheriff Rick Ramsey, who has been following developments in Tallahassee closely.
“I don’t think arming school employees is a good idea.” he said. “They should be focused on the students. Most may not have . . . the ability or training to confront an armed intruder. That being said, if lawmakers want to do this, I believe school employees who are armed should have prior military or law enforcement training.”
As to the measures being considered by the state government, Ramsey seems cautiously optimistic.
“I believe the effort will make some positive changes, but I also understand no bill is going to make everyone happy,” he said. “At the end of the day, we have to start somewhere. So far, I’m happy the legislature is making more of an effort to give us the tools we need to effectively do our job.”
At press time the Florida House had narrowly passed a bill which would allow armed teachers in state classrooms. It was unclear whether Gov. Scott would sign, or veto the bill.
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