Thursday, March 28, 2024
Vol. 5, No. 32
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Firearms in schools
Districts prepare as legislation allowing staff firearms on school grounds moves through the state house By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer This legislative session, the Iowa House has approved two bills that would allow teachers permits to carry firearms on school grounds and offer grants to districts to purchase security equipment or trainings for staff, which can be interpreted as an effort by lawmakers to mitigate or deter school violence. Local district leaders are keeping an eye on the work being done at the statehouse and how it could potentially affect their schools. “This legislation would allow teachers to obtain a permit to carry firearms on school grounds. A strict training protocol would be put in place, including in-person training for teachers to obtain the permit,” PCM Superintendent
Michelle Havenstrite said. “There are a lot of details that have not been worked out yet so I have a lot of questions, such as: How many teachers can have a permit? Is there a specific type of firearm that will be allowed? Is the training required annually? How long are permits valid?” Any changes such as this would first go to the school board to let them decide how to proceed, Baxter Superintendent Mickolyn Clapper said. Should the board want to move forward, policies and procedures would need to be developed to implement having firearms on school property. “During this policy development phase, it will be critically important that teacher, parent and community input is solicited and considered,” Havenstrite said. The legislation comes
with a mixed bag of feelings. While having additional firearms on campuses could increase security, it could also build fear for students and staff. “Positives may include enhanced security measures, quicker response times to potential threats and a greater sense of safety for some individuals,” Clapper said. “Negatives may include increased anxiety or fear among students and staff, the potential for accidents or misuse of firearms and the complex legal and logistical challenges of implementing such policies.” Among the logistics would be continuing to insure the schools. Recent history has shown that insurance companies have been feeling unfavorable when it comes to putting their name on districts with
additional firearms on campus. “It will be critically important to work closely with our insurance carrier regarding the fiscal impact of this decision,” Havenstrite said. “The two districts (Spirit Lake and Cherokee) that allowed teachers to carry handguns quickly discontinued this practice as the increase in insurance cost was prohibitive.” Currently, the schools have many practices in place to address school violence. At PCM, the school is working on prevention to address the multi-faceted issues. “So much time and energy is spent on the ‘response’ to a school violence issue. While I believe this is important, I wish more energy and time would go into the conversations about FIREARMS | 3
Hitting the breaks, maybe
After hearing emotional responses from teachers to the elementary principal leaving, the school board considers doing nothing or splitting the school By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer The March PCM School Board meeting started with emotional speeches from current elementary teachers about the resignation of principal Donita Geetings. The thoughts and feelings of the educators about their appreciation for Geetings and disappointment in the district losing her brought forth strong emotional responses that had many on the verge of tears. “I am extremely saddened that we are losing the most amazing elementary principal that we have had in my 17 years at the district,” kindergarten
teacher Jen Kline said. “In those years I have had four different principals with number five coming next year. Does anyone else see this as a problem? I can’t help but question the need to be made to help PCM keep administrators. It’s hard to get a good thing going when we replace our admin team every four to five years and the process starts all over again.” Fourth grade teacher Becky Firkins brought up the six elementary teachers who submitted their resignation to the board, along with Geetings. “This morning it was brought to our attention SCHOOL ADMIN | 3
Local ‘Voices of Inspiration’ United Way of Jasper County to host six speakers for new series beginning in April By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer The United Way of Jasper County is hosting six speakers over the coming months as a part of its “Voices of Inspiration” series. Local to the area, the speakers will talk on a variety of topics from accidental beer money fundraisers to community action and much more.
“I have had the opportunity to hear some amazing speakers — Civil Rights leader Coretta Scott King, ‘Superman’ actor Christopher Reeves, astronaut Peggy Whitson, local resident Jean Cleere, former presidents and many others,” UWJC Executive Director Jessica Lowe Vokes said. “I left those events feeling informed, empowered and I have kept many
of the things they said close to heart. They are experiences I won’t forget and I wanted to replicate that here.” Kicking off the series is Carson King, a Prairie City native who found viral fame from a “need beer money” sign at the 2019 Iowa vs Iowa State football game. King
File Art PCM alum Carson King holds his sign up during ESPN’s GameDay show in September 2019. What started as a joke turned into an entrepreneurial future for King.
SPEAKERS | 8
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