The Hamilton County school board narrowly voted against a resolution that would have committed the school system to opting out of a new Tennessee law allowing teachers or staff to conceal carry on campus.
While Superintendent Justin Robertson said in April he would not recommend arming staff given the district’s ability to provide a school resource deputy or school security officer in every building, the resolution was intended to create an official board stance and support the superintendent’s decision.
“It’s not a permanent thing, and it doesn’t give a sense of security and safety for those of us who are sending our kids into a school building who really do oppose this law,” school board member Jill Black, D-Lookout Mountain, said. “As much as I appreciate the work of Dr. Robertson, he may not always be our superintendent.
“The way that the law is written, someone else can come in here and change their mind,” Black continued. “I feel like it is important for our constituents and the parents of kids who come to Hamilton County Schools and the entire community to know where the board stands when it comes to arming staff members.”
The resolution failed on a 6-5 vote. The five who supported its passage were Black; Ben Connor, D-Chattanooga; Karitsa Jones, D-Chattanooga; Tiffanie Robinson, independent of Chattanooga, and Marco Perez, independent of Signal Mountain.