Posted: Jan 31, 2013 9:42 PM by Mike Manzoni -- mmanzoni@kristv.com
Updated: Jan 31, 2013 10:41 PM
SINTON -- Superintendent Steve VanMatre said at a meeting Thursday night that while armed security guards will remain in place he does plan to ask for the state attorney general's opinion after legal concerns surfaced earlier in the week.
"We can contract with external organizations that have licenses to carry guns that aren't peace officers," VanMatre said, adding that he would seek the attorney general's opinion for "future clarification."
Under the state's education code, only commissioned peace officers such as law enforcement officers can provide armed security to schools.
Stacy Coates, who has two children in the school system, said he has concerns over the guards' training. "There are certain things that officers know that they're not trained. Officers go through four months of training whereas a week?"
The security guards are licensed through the Department of Public Safety after completing a week-long course covering basic law and weapons training. In addition, they are required to visit a shooting range at least four times per year.
The guards from Corpus Christi-based Eddie Garza Security will remain at all school campuses through May. VanMatre said he plans to apply for state and federal funding for three full-time police officers. He said it is possible the guards will be brought back in August.
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