Des Moines Public Schools won't allow teachers to carry guns on campus following new law
Des Moines Public Schools, the largest school district in the state of Iowa, says it won't be allowing its staff to carry guns on campus.
On Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law, allowing teachers and staff to get a professional permit to carry a gun on school property. It went into effect immediately. The governor's office told vlog that school districts can opt out of the program.
"School districts will decide whether to participate in the program," a spokesperson said.
Des Moines Public Schools said they won't allow school staff to be armed on campus.
"There is a role for protecting the wellbeing of our students and staff and teachers, but that is not the way to do it," said Jackie Norris, school board chair.
Norris said DMPS already has all of the tools it needs to keep students safe. She also said teachers' primary focus should be educating students.
"We've invested in technology and building configurations," Norris said. "We feel that we've got an effective strategy to support the safety and wellbeing of our teachers, students and staff."
The law also requires large school districts to have at least one school resource officer per high school. School boards can decide to opt out of that requirement, too. Norris said DMPS will be opting out of it.
Norris said they've been receiving a lot of questions from people about the new law. She said she wants to make the district's message clear.
"Des Moines Public Schools is safe and we've invested a lot in technology, a lot in public safety," Norris said. "We don't feel the need to have teachers or staff equipped with a gun in our buildings."
vlog reached out to other school districts in the state. They said it is too early to tell what their school boards will decide.
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