PORTLAND, Ind. (WFFT) - Schools across the region are making changes to their security plans.
Jay School Corporation is working on developing a comprehensive security plan.
It includes everything from more security cameras to having trained staff members with a gun in every school.
It is a four-part to counter an active shooting; deter, detect, deny and defeat.
"This is a real threat," said Jay School Corporation Superintendent Jeremy Gulley. "We feel the response times to schools is a concern for us."
Gulley is working with the Jay County Sheriff, Indiana Department of Homeland Security and other agencies to develop a plan.
Step one is deterring an attack, such as adding better cameras.
"We know that our schools were not designed for this kind of threat. In the 1960s and 1970s this was not a phenomenon in our society," said Gulley.
The second step is detecting a threat.
This means re-configuring the main entrance at every school.
Step three deny entry.
This week crews are installing bullet resistant film over every window at Jay County High School.
Step four is defeat the threat.
This includes armed security. This could be retired veterans or staff members who volunteer.
However, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick says arming teachers is a bad idea.
"We loose our keys for God's sake. I can't imagine keeping track of guns," said McCormick.
"I have no plans to arm our classroom teachers in the classroom," said Gulley.
The guns would be kept in a safe with limited access somewhere inside the school.
"I would be willing to stand guard with them," said James Archer, who's grandson goes to school in Jay County.
He also served during the Korean War.
Archer said he feels his grandson would be safe with the proposed security changes.
"As long as they can keep the guns away from idiots then maybe the kids will be safe," said Archer.
The Jay School Corporation Board will have to change its policy to allow guns be stored here on campus.
The soonest that will happen is during its May meeting.
You can learn more about the Jay School Corporation's proposed security plan on its website.
