Resident Urges Reassessment of Armed Security in Schools; Board Says Guards Have No Student Contact

A Huntington parent told the school board Wednesday she opposes the district’s use of contracted armed security officers and urged the board to re-evaluate the program with community input, citing academic research and a local case she said illustrated risks when law enforcement is present in schools.

"I still feel that armed guards are security theater and an expensive unjustified measure," said the commenter, Courtney Andrille (recorded in the transcript as a public speaker), who urged the district to publish evidence showing armed guards improve school safety and to involve families in decisions about continuing the program. She cited studies and examples she said show armed officers do not reliably reduce casualties and can turn schools into places of surveillance.

During the public-comment exchange, the commenter raised concerns about immigrant students and asked whether contracted guards had been briefed on state guidance protecting immigrant students. The district’s superintendent responded that the guidance had been shared and she could "assure you that they were," and she added that the contracted officers "do not have student contact." The superintendent also said the guards do not enter school buildings and do not use school bathrooms.

Board members responded that the district follows established protocols for handling outside enforcement requests and said principals would coordinate with legal counsel when necessary. One board member added there was not currently interest on the board to reopen the recently adopted policy on contracted armed security, noting the policy was implemented last year.

No board action was taken; the speaker asked whether a future review or committee might take up community concerns. Board members said policy reviews are handled through regular processes and that any formal reexamination would be a board-level decision.