THORNDALE—In response to concerns over U.S. school violence, Thorn-dale ISD trustees voted last week to arm some staff members in a “Project Guardian” program.
The 6-0 vote after an executive session came after Supt. Adam Ivy presented the program for consideration by trustees.
He said the district conducted polls of the TISD staff and general public and found overwhelming majorities of both where in favor of the program.
Ivy said 82 percent of the staff were in favor of arming certain staff members to protect students and staffers in the event of an active shooter on campus.
He said 41 percent of staff members indicated they would be willing to serve as “guardians.”
Ivy said more than 270 in the community responded to an online survey and 93 percent said they were in favor of armed guardians.
He said the district would choose a limited number of volunteers who would have to participate in an extensive training “above and beyond the required license to carry training required by state law.”
Ivy pointed out more than 170 Texas school districts have a guardian program and the number could potentially double before the next school term.
“The district certainly hopes and prays there will never be a need to utilize a guardian program to defend students and staff but want to be prepared if necessary,” he said.
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