PALESTINE —
Cayuga Independent School District will hold a public hearing later this month to discuss the possibility of allowing district employees who are concealed handgun license holders to carry guns on school property.
The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25 at the Cayuga High School library.
The CISD Board of Trustees discussed the agenda item at its Thursday regular board meeting.
“We discussed matters related to school security and safety including the possibility of the district authorizing employees with concealed handgun licenses to carry on school property,” CISD Superintendent Dr. Rick Webb told the Herald-Press Friday.
“Ultimately, what we decided was to have a public hearing about the matter prior to our next school board meeting. Our school attorneys were present to advise us about the matter, which was helpful as they’re advising their other clients — other school districts — considering similar measures.”
Webb said several rural school districts such as Union Grove ISD and Harold ISD were considering this option for school safety purposes.
“Response time for law enforcement is at least 20 minutes because of our distance, so that would be why our school district is considering this,” Webb said.
Many schools considering the concealed handgun option seem to be consistently following a four-prong plan, Webb said.
“One of those being the board is the one who provides the authorization. The second piece being the training of staff members who are wanting to carry on school property. The third part is tied to what type of weapons and ammunition that can be carried, and the fourth, is having a concealed handgun license,” Webb said.
Webb encouraged the community to attend the public hearing.
“We are holding the public hearing to allow for community input,” he said.
Local News
Cayuga ISD board to consider concealed handgun policy
Public meeting slated Feb. 25
- Local News
-
-
Healthy cooking program offered
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Palestine is offering a four-week program starting this Thursday to help diabetics make healthy cooking choices.
-
Steps of Faith Dance Center production Saturday
Steps of Faith Dance Center will hold its annual production at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center.
“We’re going to take you to a land far away and tell you the ‘real’ story of some of your favorite fairy tale characters,” Steps of Faith Dance Center owner Jennifer Ballew said. “The production is full of lively fun music, a reminiscing ol’ Granny, and of course the incredible dancing of several talented students.” -
Chamber sets photo contest
The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking shutterbugs to participate in its second annual photo contest — portraying structures, landmarks and memorable locations in the Palestine/Anderson County area.
-
Memorial Day celebration set Saturday
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3907 will hold a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday featuring barbecue, live music, an auction and more.
-
Longview man injured in motorcycle wreck
A Longview man remained in fair condition in a Tyler hospital Monday following a one-vehicle motorcycle wreck Friday near Montalba on Texas 19.
-
Traffic stop leads to arrest
A Palestine man remained in jail Monday on drug-related charges following a suspicious vehicle stop in Anderson County on Saturday.
According to Sheriff Greg Taylor, while on patrol in the early morning hours on Saturday, deputy Johnny Gorden saw a suspicious vehicle sitting on the side of U.S. 287 between Palestine and Elkhart. -
Residents urged to welcome back local troops on Wednesday
Palestine area residents are asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
-
Community invited to welcome back National Guard troops
The community is asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
-
Texas Area Fund Foundation kicks off new program
The Texas Area Fund Foundation kicked off its newest program — The Action Fund — Thursday evening at an event hosted in the home of Francis and Cad Williams.
-
Police department seeking input from citizens on text alert program
The Palestine Police Department is asking for input from citizens regarding the feasibility of introducing a new communication program call Citizen Observer Tip411, an e-mail and text alert system that would allow for outgoing alerts and information to citizens.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Healthy cooking program offered
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Former Rep. Weiner Running for New York Mayor
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
New Xbox One Entertainment Console Unveiled
