Amanda Rink, Editor
Iowa House Republicans have introduced two bills aimed at prioritizing school safety. The lawmakers were motivated to introduce the bills after the school shooting in Perry. The first day after winter break a 17-year-old gunman killed a sixth-grader and wounded seven others. The gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Principal, Dan Marburger, later passed away due to injuries sustained during the senseless violence.
Perry has a population of 8,142 with the entire school district consisting of 1,785 students. Per public records, CGD has a school population of roughly 1,032 students and a town population of 2,687. While these statistics are not exact, the numbers are important to lawmakers and could determine what schools in our state need to hire security officers or school resource officers.
House Study Bill 692 focuses on infrastructure and states:
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Schools must conduct a comprehensive review of their safety and emergency response plans, submitting the findings to law enforcement before the 2024-2025 school year.
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A fund is established to install radios that can access the Statewide Interoperable Communications System in school buildings lacking such radios.
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Firearm detection software will be implemented in three schools of different sizes through a pilot program.
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A task force is set up to develop recommended school safety standards in building codes.
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From 2026 onwards, schools must meet these safety standards before utilizing any SAVE funds for athletic facility projects.
Representatives Cater Nordman (R-Panora) and David Young (R-Van Meter) partnered on this legislation, motivated by the tragic events in Perry.
House Study Bill 675 concentrates on personnel prepared to safeguard students and states:
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Schools with over 8,000 students must employ at least one school resource officer or private security officer.
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A grant program is established to match funds and assist schools in funding these positions.
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A new permit allows school employees to carry weapons, with strict requirements, including in-person legal, annual medical, and communication training.
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The Department of Public Safety is to implement mandatory annual live scenarios and quarterly live firearm training for permitted school employees.
Chair of the Public Safety Committee Phil Thompson (R-Boone) leads this legislation and emphasizes the importance of having trained and armed personnel in Iowa schools. Thompson shared in a press release:
"The fastest way to respond to a school shooting is to have armed personnel on site, trained and available to respond at a moment's notice," Thompson said. "With this bill, we create a new permit with a strict training regimen that will result in more men and women in school buildings ready to respond to keep students safe. I'm proud of the work we've put in to find real solutions that will make our schools safer and looking forward to leading this legislation through the Iowa House."
