Seems Harrold ISD and Superindent Thweatt was all the buzz at the beginning of the school year. Teachers were going to be shooting problem kids. Kids were going to be wrestling guns away from teachers. Guns were just going to be laying around for students to find.
So may I assume the lack of even a whisper of news or incident from this small ISD means there's no blood in the classrooms
What a shock.
At least there is one superindent/board in the state that has the backbone to do the right thing. I'm sorry it can't be said for the rest of them or our legislators...yet.
Interesting you bring this up...I was thinking about Harrold ISD just today in fact.
Texas has 1,000+ school districts, and only 1 (AFAIK) has given their employees written permission to carry concealed inside of school buildings. What if an organization stepped forward and offered to send letters to all 1,000+ school district superintendents and simply ask for permission to carry on behalf of their employees? Suggest that their responses (or non-responses) will be posted on a public website, and that they might in fact be culpable in the future if a school shooting occurs and they had the opportunity to prevent the shooting.
I'm a teacher, but I'm not going to send that letter, because I value my job, and there are plenty of wanna-be teachers in line to take my place. I would, however, be more than willing to monetarily support any organization that stepped forward to do this task.
The cost would be manageable: About $450 in postage, $20 to host a simple domain and webpage. Maybe it's time we put the school districts and public on notice that someone is paying attention to this sad state of affairs, and if (when, more likely) a school shooting occurs that could have been prevented, we are not going to simply let school officials off the hook for their inactions.
Or, maybe we can all just hang out and whine about not being able to protect our children...
Mr. Thweatt did not worry about what this one thought or what that one thought, he knew what was needed to keep his school safe...and he stood up to them all and did it! We need more Mr. Thweatt's out there that are willing to stand up for what is right and the safety of their schools, teachers and students and do it!
-geo
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I doubt we see anything in the media about them. Reporting that there were armed, responsible people caring for children for an entire year and everything is fine doesn't make good television.
TEA is the state regulatory organization. If somebody working there believes we should have a right to carry I bet they are pretty careful about where and when they say so.
AFAIK all of the "almost unions" are in the business of political lobbying AND providing liability insurance to teachers. I've not seen much firearm support from insurance providers. If there was a teacher's organization that was on our side I would willingly join. If university carry passes, that'll be another step in the right direction.
kahrfreak wrote:The cost would be manageable: About $450 in postage, $20 to host a simple domain and webpage. Maybe it's time we put the school districts and public on notice that someone is paying attention to this sad state of affairs, and if (when, more likely) a school shooting occurs that could have been prevented, we are not going to simply let school officials off the hook for their inactions.
Or, maybe we can all just hang out and whine about not being able to protect our children...
So, $10 each x 50 people plus some willing person with a few printer cartridges and enough saliva to lick a bunch of envelopes. Everyone else can make sure the resulting webpage is linked to from everywhere we can think of. Let's make this happen!
Only negative I see is you are extremely likely to get 99+% non-responses, which are not quite as incriminating as a negative response, but I'm in for $10... sheesh, it's $10. Anyone?
It doesn't matter if they respond or not because it puts it in their head about possible protection from a nut and it won't cost the taxpayers that fund the school a dime if we do it right. I would say use what money the site gets for annual letters as well as for finding a way to get the teachers extra training if the school should desire it. That may mean contacting the NRA and see if they would help. The main reason I say it doesn't matter if they respond is because eventually we will have more murders of innocent kids in schools. It is not going to stop and they will not be able to put it our of their minds. I will print and send some (10 or 20) letters at my own expense if a person will organize where the letters need to go and to who they need to be sent. Official letter head for the cause would help the effort greatly. That includes the leter, an address, web address, phone number and e-mail address where the school or individual teachers can contact and have questions answered and gain knowledge of CHL and the law. I don't know about web sites but I can spend $20 or $30 if need be because this is important to every person with school age kids. That includes grandkids and every generation to come. The State should not restrict carry at either events or in the buildings and this should not be necessary. However, they seem to be cowards that are unwilling to except reality and allow us the right or privilege to protect ourselves and other innocents. So it is up to us to do it.....again.
As mentioned previously, the teachers' professional groups are in it for liability insurance. I seriously doubt we would get any groups interested in this project. The AFT (American Federation of Teachers, I believe this was confused for the TEA earlier) is affiliated with the NEA, a group that has, in the past, lobbied for gun control (google for "nea gun control"). I doubt they would be of much assistance.
These letters probably need to come from an "official" group. Even if something like this was sanctioned by this site owner, I believe that would be more effective than just letters from individuals. And yes, I'd be willing to kick in some time/effort/money to this project as well.
I wonder if any individual has done this? I've considered it, but weighed it against the possible negative outcome. Currently, nobody at my daughter's school know I carry. Several of the other kids' fathers are LEOs and one or two even pick their kids up in full uniform. I've stayed under just about everyone's radar since the day my CHL arrived and would like to keep it that way.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargent Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016. NRA Patriot-Endowment Lifetime Member---------------------------------------------Si vis pacem, para bellum.................................................Patriot Guard Rider
While I will support to the best of my meager private school salary to the above letter writing/website I must remain realistic.
1. School districts/academia by in large is anti-gun or at least agnostic and probably in denial.
2. A school district (or sup. or principal?) can, as we know, grant permission. If I understand correctly that can make the board members individually responsible and liable (at least that is the way it is in private schools). I don't know of anyone (save the Harrold ISD) that is willing to stick out their necks. You can argue that they can be held liable for anything but banning guns (or not allowing them) is the lesser of the litigation evils.
3. Board members of all but the smallest districts and private schools (and even most of the them I imagine) must think about their consituients and if they want to get reelected.
4. With TAKS, budgets, teen pregnancy, drop outs, ADA, and the other host of problems they have to deal with, allowing a few CHL teachers (or parents) carry is not high on their list of priorities. After all, school is still a safe(r) place (said with a dose of tongue-in-cheek).
5. Not all CHLs in Texas feel it is a good idea. Memebers of a "group" seldom agree on all things...just look at open carry (oops, did I type that?).
6. Most will ignore such a letter/survey no matter how "official" the letterhead. Just another letter from some nutcase group. What do they care if their district is posted on some obscure website that has no authority?
7. Like most people this, or any other issue, doesn't matter until something tragic happens and then they become interested.
Now the question is, if school districts are made aware of their option of granting carry and something does happen does this make them more (or less) liable or responsible? If by educating them does that help our cause. I certainly can't see it hurting if done responsibly.
Truth be told, short of legislation and/or a local school shooting, it is going to be a steep uphill battle with very few gains. The best opportunties are provided at small, rural districts, such as Harrold ISD, and some private schools. Maybe, just maybe, if enough smaller schools get on the bandwagon and show that it works then it might migrate to the larger districts or legislation might actually have a chance.
Additionally, while I will argue until blue in the face about our rights, I would support (or at least concede) districts requiring some type of additional training. I'll put on my flamesuit but I feel if it allows us to get a foot in the door it is worth it. I may not ultimately like it but I'll put up with it.
This is probably going to have to be looked at from a local grassroots approach. Work on your school board. Write letters asking why, and expecting a real reason, CHLs shouldn't be able to carry at schools. Work on the newspapers, as liberal as they may be. Enough letters to the editor will raise some eyebrows. Contact the local TV stations. But be mindful that this has to sincere, educated, and responsible. We can't come across as the stereotypical rednect gun-toter. Maybe a flier at the range to get the news out to other CHLs and get "organized". Maybe a few higher standing locals will come forward.
In the end I really don't know and I just ramble. It is certainly going to take a lot of effort or a lot of tragedy. I am slowly and methodically working on my board. Overall I think I have about a 40% chance of success...and I may be way optimistic. But all I can do is try.
People - I hate to tell you this but you all had your chance to make your voice heard about 2 weeks ago DURING THE ELECTIONS
Anything you can do now might be helpful, but you missed your biggest chance to effect change at the ballot box for another year. Maybe next year you will actually vote in the May election instead of wishing for change. I'll get off my soap box now - sore subject.
Kalrog wrote:People - I hate to tell you this but you all had your chance to make your voice heard about 2 weeks ago DURING THE ELECTIONS
Anything you can do now might be helpful, but you missed your biggest chance to effect change at the ballot box for another year. Maybe next year you will actually vote in the May election instead of wishing for change. I'll get off my soap box now - sore subject.
Kalrog wrote:People - I hate to tell you this but you all had your chance to make your voice heard about 2 weeks ago DURING THE ELECTIONS
Anything you can do now might be helpful, but you missed your biggest chance to effect change at the ballot box for another year. Maybe next year you will actually vote in the May election instead of wishing for change. I'll get off my soap box now - sore subject.
