A state board that licenses private security agencies doesn't have the authority to allow school districts to employ educators and staff as security personnel, according to a legal opinion from Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.
The announcement came a few days after the Clarksville School District announced that it planned to use more than 20 teachers and staff as volunteer security guards armed with concealed 9mm firearms. In his opinion, McDaniel stated that school districts in the state were seeking licenses under a provision of the law that applies to private security firms and guard companies.
McDaniel noted that districts would still have the ability to contract with private security companies or use law enforcement as school resource officers, the Associated Press reports. He also stated that the legislature could change the law prohibiting school employees from carrying guns on campus.
