N. Idaho School District Drops Plan to Arm Schools

SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) — A northern Idaho school district is no longer considering an idea to make guns available to teachers and other staff members as a security measure.

Lake Pend Oreille School Superintendent Shawn Woodward said Wednesday district staff members overwhelmingly oppose the idea and the board of trustees is divided on the idea. But Woodward says he's still discussing safety issues with Bonner County officials and members of his staff with input from the school board, parents and residents.

School Board Chairman Steve Youngdahl triggered a community debate earlier this fall when he proposed placing guns in secure locations inside schools and training some teachers, administrators and other employees to use them in case of a school shooting. About 300 people attended a public hearing on the idea earlier this month.