Vote Delayed on Kiona-Benton School Administrator Gun Policy

An expected vote on a new gun policy in the Kiona-Benton School District has been delayed due to the absence of one of the board members was unable to make the meeting Monday night, but so far public opinion is in favor of allowing certain administrative officials to carry firearms on school grounds.

  The district also plans to look at the situation further before making it's final vote.  Up for consideration is a new policy that would allow these selected officials to carry gunson school grounds, and a similar idea is being considered by the Prosser and Toppenish school districts.

A few school officials think there's a better way to improve school and campus security, but no definite alternatives have been suggested.  Arming certain security and administrative personnel in schools has been the subject of a growing trend across the country; to provide greater security and faster response in case of shooting or other such incidents.

A decision is expected next week by the school board and administration.

So far, public opinion gathered by the board is in favor of the idea.