‘Take the politics out of our schoolhouse’, Wilson County Schools will not arm teachers

Nickelle Smith
·2 min read
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WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Director of Schools in Wilson County expanded on the decision to not allow teachers to carry guns on school campuses during Monday’s school board meeting.

“We have got to take the politics out of our schoolhouse. We have got to find common ground and really look at the issues. These are serious issues,” Jeff Luttrell said. “It’s gotten way to dramatized from political standpoints in Jeff Luttrell’s opinion. We have got to base our decisions using resources that are available from multiple sources to determine what’s the best step.”

The legislation signed by Governor Bill Lee allows teachers to be armed on school campuses if they’ve been trained and go through a number of other qualifying steps. Supporters say it’s mainly for school districts that don’t have law enforcement on every campus but Wilson County School leaders say they’ve been well ahead of that school security trend.

Wilson County Director of Schools responds to teachers carrying guns law

“If we did not have the SRO program we have in Wilson County, I’d be saying we got to do something. But we have just the history of this. I think we’re the first county to put them in all schools, Wilson County, I guess it was Sheriff Ash years ago. And it’s continued to expand and not just expand, we have other districts reach out want to know what we’re doing.”

Luttrell explained his stance was supported by local law enforcement, teachers, and principals.

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“This debate is not new. I settled this debate a long time ago. Being a teacher, being administrator, 30 years plus, all I’ve ever done, I do not believe then, I do not believe now that we need to put this on teachers. They need to teach your kids,” he said, to which the audience responded with applause. “We’re in all kinds of discussions with Sheriff, myself, what’s the future look like for school safety. And that’s where I’m going to spend our time. I will not agree to arm a teacher. It’s not in my fiber. And I’m not against guns at all.”

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