The Orangefield school board Monday night approved a program to have armed marshals or guardians in the schools. The marshals or guardians will be school employees who will be anonymous.
“The reason the board initiated our marshal plan, or policy, is our local response time by our first responders, as told by our sheriff, is six or seven minutes. We don’t feel like we want that kind of time to go by if there is an emergency in our school district,” said Board President Dr. Ronald Risinger, a dentist.
Superintendent Dr. Stephen Patterson said all employees who are in the program will go through the requirements to be psychologically tested and certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
He said the only way someone should know whether an employee is carrying a firearm “is in the event, and only in the event, that serious bodily injury is imminent,” he said.
The district began looking at starting an armed marshal program because of recent school mass shootings. Patterson has previously said that in his two decades of being an educator, he had never thought armed marshals would be needed.
The board’s resolution says the district “has determined that the safety and security of students and staff is a paramount” and that if an armed intruder or other dangerous situation occurs, the staff will be the first on the scene.
Patterson said the “marshal” and “guardian” programs are similar. The marshal program has rules outlined “very specifically by the state,” while “the guardian program allows some flexibility.”
He said he is not allowed to reveal how the employees for the program were selected or who they will be. He previously has said the employees could be anyone from teachers to custodians.
The district has three campuses and the administration building within walking distance of each other.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
Above: OFISD Board President Ronnie Risinger (center) conducts meeting with Supt. Dr. Stephen Patterson (right) and board member Marc Wernig.
Sad ….they probably will end up shooting an innocent person. Shoot first ask questions later….teachers don’t need guns ….they need to educate students…oh but this……..you finish it.
Security to protect money but not kids. You are an idiot.
So we should educate students that guns are dangerous?
Good deal!!!
OUTSTANDING!!!!
I think all teachers should have guns in there room..and patents need to teach this kids how to us a gun and not be scared of it… parents what to look guns up and say don’t touch, and they will touch… Orangefield is trying to protect your kids..
Wonderful idea. It’s a shame it took the killing of so many of children and teachers etc. before they are doing something. Read the post. They are not just going to pick a bunch of teachers. There are many every day people who are well trained in conceal carry and very well protect themselves and others if they need to. We are living in a different world now and we need to have responsible people at every turn. If it is not safe to attend church,school,movie theater malls eating places then it’s time to change our foucus .
Good idea. I’m sure that there is a requirement for them to shoot and score to qualify. And im sure that many already have concealed, and are legal. In this area, many shoot, own, and carry. I’m sure the board has looked at all the safeties.
Good work, I feel you have chosen to do the best to keep Orangefield students safe. I know this was not taken lightly but with everything going on Ofangefield does what they have to do.to keep students safe.. It is sad but it so many things in our world today are very sad.
I back your decision 100%. Please require monthly range time and yearly defensive training at a NRA facility or a local Police Academy. The PROs promote de-escalation & control, and only as a last option, to chamber a round.
That’s awesome!!! Hopefully other local schools will be able to do the same! Our kids should be able to go to school and feel safe.
Unfortunately the world is becoming a very dangerous place. I am 100% supportive of this pro-active move to protect the children. It is a much better option than throwing crayons at an intruder whose intentions are to harm others. I hope the district stands firm when the media and activists soon come charging in to discredit this decision.
I agree with Woody yearly training and range time would be a plus. Glad our children will always have protection on site. Great plan, hope we never need to use it. Thank you School Board !????
I applaud OFISD for having the fortitude to take a stand on a subject they knew would draw criticism from the few (but vocal).
It’s rewarding to see officials selflessly take action to protect our children, even though they put themselves directly in the crosshairs (pardon the pun) of those who will obviously chastise their common-sense approach.
What about metal detectors also?