In a recent school board meeting, officials discussed the implementation of armed personnel on campuses in response to a state mandate. The district has collaborated with local law enforcement agencies, including the Amarillo Police Department, Kenyon Police Department, and Randall County Sheriff's Office, to hire five additional school resource officers. Despite these efforts, officials acknowledged that the current staffing does not meet the requirement for an armed individual on every campus.

To address this shortfall, the board has opted to pursue the Guardian Defender Program, which trains staff members to serve as armed guardians. So far, three training sessions have been conducted, with two groups of personnel already certified and presented for board approval. The latest session aims to certify an additional ten individuals as school guardians.

The program is described as an unfunded mandate from the state, prompting the district to seek resources to support the guardians' training needs. The training process includes obtaining a license to carry, followed by a rigorous three-day training program led by a Texas Ranger and a US Marshal. This extensive training covers various shooting scenarios and culminates in a psychological evaluation before candidates can be recommended for board approval.

The board's commitment to enhancing campus safety through the Guardian Defender Program reflects ongoing efforts to comply with state requirements while addressing community safety concerns.