CISD hearing focuses on security

Training teachers, raising kids right, and possibly arming personnel were all topics of discussion when the Clarendon school board held a public hearing Monday night, April 9.

Superintendent Mike Norrell started the hearing with an overview of some of the programs and security measures the Clarendon Consolidated Independent School District has adopted over the years and in recent months, including new measures implemented at the Clarendon Elementary just last week. More changes are in store, Norrell said, included security vestibules planned for construction the elementary and junior high and possibly the high school.

Local parent Chancy Cruise, who had spoken about security concerns at last month’s board meeting, was one of about a dozen parents and members of the public at Monday’s hearing and said he appreciated what had been done to lock down the elementary.

“It looks like y’all are really getting after it, and I appreciate that,” Cruise said. “We don’t want a jail but do want a secure school.”

Later it was Cruise who spoke up again and asked about board members’ feelings about arming school staff.

“I’m not against it,” Board President Wayne Hardin said, “but at the same time I’m not sold on it.”

Hardin said there are many issues to consider when it comes to the discussion of arming school personnel.

“These people were trained to be educators not security guards,” Hardin said. “And if the only training you’ve got is your CHL training, you are woefully under trained for that.”
School Trustee Weldon Sears said arming personnel has been discussed as one option.

“We’re looking at all the tools available to use,” Sears said. “It’s certainly something that could be worked out.”
Trustee Will Thompson also said the board had talked about the pros and cons of arming teachers and also said there is no single answer for school security.

“Most shooters are linked to bullying,” Thompson said. “We need to be instilling the Golden Rule and what kind of character you have. I think character education will create a bigger impact than arming teachers. We need the cooperation of parents and the community to do that.”

Trustee Reneé Mott also put the focus on parenting.

“All the parents here (at the hearing) are good parents,” she said, “but you’ve got to be involved not just with your kids but with other kids also. I know I never had a problem getting on to any of my kids’ friends.”

Hardin also focused on today’s culture as a problem.

“I went to school here in the 70s. We had shotguns and rifles in pickups in the parking lot, but we didn’t shoot each other,” he said. “We’ve got a culture problem.”

Cruise himself also said that he was not convinced arming school personnel is the right thing to do.

“I don’t really know that I like the idea or not,” he said.

In response to comments Monday night, Norrell said CCISD is planning for more training for teachers to help identify troubled youth and combating bullying continues to be something the school works on.

Parent Deborah Dale asked if there were any programs for parents to help them identify troubled kids. Norrell said there is nothing formal for that currently.

Some parents talked about additional security concerns and places where security could be improved. Elizabeth Zongker asked if the school had enough money for the security measures being talked about and put in place.
Norrell responded that the school has a line item for security in its budget but it isn’t enough. The school also has a fund balance that he said was “in very good shape” and said there are ways for the school to borrow money.

Cruise asked about raising taxes, but CCISD’s tax rate is capped at $1.17 per $100 valuation. Hardin said it would take voter approval through something like a bond election to go over that. Parent Corey Gaither said he would vote for whatever as long as it means his kid’s safety.

School officials said security has long been a priority for the district and work and discussions will continue.

Cruise also asked if the board would hold more public hearings in the future, and Hardin said the board could certainly do that. Sears said the school would likely be surveying parents about security in the near future as well.

The public hearing lasted almost an hour, after which the board set to work on its regular agenda, which include a report on a security audit. That report and discussion was held in closed session.

Other items of business Monday night included administrative reports, a quarterly investment report, and the acceptance of the resignation of one employee in the administration office, Nelda Woodard, who is retiring.

A report was also presented on trustee training hours as follows: Robin Ellis 11, Wayne Hardin 23, Wes Hatley 5, Reneé Mott 13, Chuck Robertson 5, Weldon Sears 6, and Will Thompson 25. Four of the board members – Ellis, Hatley, Robertson, and Sears – are deficient in the number of hours they need in the proper areas.