Naperville District 203 Unanimously Votes Against Armed Teachers

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville District 203 board members, staff, students, and parents are sending a clear message to the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) about arming teachers after the district voted unanimously Monday to stand against a resolution that supports teachers and staff carrying guns. During Monday's meeting, board members were backed up by students and parents who shared their sentiments about any initiatives to arm educators.

The proposed Student Safety and Protection Plan is sponsored by Red Hill Community School District 10 and co-sponsored by 10 additional school districts, including Mount Vernon City Schools and Wilmington CUSD 209U.

The proposal includes requirements that teachers and staff who would be armed pass "multiple background checks" and have a valid concealed carry license.

Keith Clingman was one resident who spoke out at the meeting Monday. Clingman said, who has four children in elementary, middle school, and high school in Naperville, said he was "highly alarmed" at the thought of armed guards in schools. "You can't fix gun violence with more guns," he said.

Clingman was followed by Mark Bailey, who spoken on behalf of the Naperville Unit Education Association (NUEA). Bailey, who has taught for more than 40 years, said the NUEA is "categorically opposed to arming and asking teachers and staff to carry firearms in our school and in our classrooms."

Two students used the time for public comment to express their opposition to armed guards and teachers in schools. 8th-grader Nathan May said he was inspired by the survivors of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas school in Parkland, Florida, to speak out in support of "common sense gun violence." May said the idea of guns in his school make him feel "anxious and nervous."

Peyton Arens, who is the student council president at Washington Junior High School said he helped organized walkout against gun violence last year and traveled to Washington D.C. to take part in the March for Our Lives. Arens said, "Our teachers became teachers because they have a passion for children and education, not because they want to carry a firearm."

District 203 will send delegate Terry Fielden with their "no" vote to the IASB Delegate Assembly on Nov. 17 to a resolution that would to give Illinois school boards an option to "be an active and armed part of the Student Safety and Protection Plan."

Watch the entire board meeting below:

Image credit: YouTube, b oe203