Eagle Point safety committee says no to arming teachers

Eagle Point, Ore.– A school safety committee said “no” to arming teachers in the classroom Wednesday night.

The recommendation came after a year of talks within Jackson County School District 9.

The Weapons Safety Committee said the topic of arming teachers is just too complicated and controversial.

The bottom line, they want technology upgrades to security systems in every Eagle Point school.

“We are making our way through and adding safety measures as we see the need and as we have the money,” said David Sweem, a committee member.

Some of theirrecommendations include:

– Only one place people can enter in every school.

– Buzz-in entry systems.

– Panic alarms in every building.

– A a Nexar security system like the one at Shady Cove School.

Committee members said the Nexar system has a panic button thatturns on camerasconnectedto the Sheriff’s Office. But it’s not cheap. The price tag is $2,000,000 per system.

Now they’re trying to find a cheaper version.

Committee members wanted to point out thatall schools in their district do have security cameras. And all employees have active shooter response training.

The school board did not make any final decisions but the committee chair said if the school board wants them to go back to the drawing board, they will.