Little Rock Schools Putting Own Security Measures in Place

The Little Rock School District Board of Directors failed to pass a proposal Thursday night that would have added more armed security on its campuses, but instead approved more unarmed guards.

But one school is putting its own security measures in place, like Carver Magnet School in Little Rock without being buzzed in.

Unless you're staff, they use a key card.

"It was important for us to provide some security measures for our parents, our staff and our students and given the situation where we are downtown," said Acting Principal and Science Lab Instructor, Gene Williams.

the school also has an unarmed security guard... adding to the sense of security for parents and students

"I am very thankful and grateful and happy that it's here," added ReAn Grace Jaffey, whose son is in the 5^th grade at Carver.

"Happy so nobody can try to come and get me, feels Rufus, ReAn's son.

Some on the Little Rock School Board wanted to extend that feeling of security, by adding one armed guard at each school in the district, but Thursday night the proposal failed.

However, most people we spoke to would feel safer with an armed guard present on campuses.

"It would add that extra protection that teachers need and it would provide security to the students, said parent Felicia Tatum-Rogers.

Armed guards or not, Carver Magnet says security will continue to be a top priority.

"What we want to do is keep our kids happy and safe so they can learn," said Williams.

A Bill will be introduced next week by Arkansas Legislatures, asking that a study be conducted on just how ready our schools are across the state, in the event of a violent situation on campus.