Panel advises Little Rock to not arm school security staff

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An advisory panel is recommending that the Little Rock School District not arm its security officers.

The Community Advisory Board voted 7-0 Thursday to direct district superintendent Mike Poore not to consider a proposal for arming 10 school security officers.

The final decision is up to the Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key. He acts in place of an elected school board in the state-controlled school district.

Arkansas law allows public school district employees to be armed if they complete 60 hours of training, pass background checks and psychological evaluations. Firearms may be used to defend students and staff members from attackers.

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The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Little Rock raised the possibility of arming some employees after a high school shooting in Parkland, Florida , left 17 people dead last year.

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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.arkansasonline.com