SIOUX CITY, IA – In an unprecedented move, Siouxland Christian School, a private educational institution in Iowa, has announced that some of its staff members will be armed. This decision is part of a broader strategy to bolster security measures and safeguard the school community from potential threats.
Superintendent Lindsay Laurich revealed that the identities of the armed staff members will be kept confidential. She reassured that while this new layer of protection is in place, it will not alter the regular experiences of students and staff. The decision to arm staff was not made hastily, with the school considering the policy for a year before its official announcement.
This decision comes in the wake of a tragic mass shooting at Perry High School in Iowa, which resulted in the death of a sixth-grade student and injuries to several others. Laurich voiced her concerns about the increasing threats to school safety, stating that such incidents have become an unfortunate reality.
Laurich’s awareness of the growing issue was heightened after reading a Wall Street Journal article about the K-12 School Shooting Database. She was alarmed to learn that there had been four incidents and seven victims since the start of the new year.
In a letter to the school community, Laurich reiterated that safety is a top priority for Siouxland Christian School. The school has established a rigorous process for selecting and training staff members to carry arms on campus, with guidance from law enforcement, insurance carriers, legal advisors, and industry experts.
These armed staff members are trained to confront threats directly, enabling teachers and students to secure themselves until law enforcement arrives. Laurich also expressed gratitude to Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan for his support in rolling out the new policy.
The practice of arming school staff has been gaining traction across the United States in recent years. A Fox News poll from August 2022 showed that 48% of respondents were in favor of arming teachers.
Despite the challenging nature of the decision, Laurich stands firm in her belief that arming staff members is a necessary step towards ensuring the safety of the school community. She is committed to taking all possible measures to protect students and staff from potential tragedies.