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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The Valley City School Board does not support House bill 1195 which if passed would allow a school district employee to carry a concealed firearm on school property if they have a valid concealed weapons permit from the state and if approved by that school districts board.
Superintendent Dean Koppelman told the school board that he cannot support the bill. He believes someone that is not a police officer or licensed school resource officer carrying a firearm in school may present other dangers to people on school property.
School board member Ryan Mathias agreed with Koppelman. He said the risk is high as well as the liability. Mathias supports the idea of having a licensed school resource officer.
School board member Rick Ross believes smaller school districts in rural areas should have the option of allowing a licensed person to carry a concealed weapon in a rural school setting. But Ross is against the idea for the Valley City School district being a police officer could respond quickly to an emergency in Valley City with the police station close to the school district buildings.
School board member Mike Callahan believes it would place too much responsibility on a school district employee to work and carry a concealed weapon.
School board president Joyce Braunagel told the board that she believes the legislature should pursue a measure that would help school district hire a licensed school resource peace officer. She also believes the liability and risk are too high for this school district.
The Valley City School board voted 4 to one to not support House Bill 1195 at their regular board meeting on March 16. Board member Rick Ross voted against the motion.
The chief sponsor of the bill, Representative Dwight Kiefert of Valley City believes this bill would give rural school districts a chance to respond to a school shooting. He believes the response time for police would be delayed greatly trying to get to a rural school in a remote area.
The North Dakota Senate will debate House Bill 1195 this week at the state capitol.