COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that the board voted to create a new position for employees to carry guns on school campuses.
The Cobb County School Board approved a measure Thursday evening during its meeting to create a new position for some employees to carry guns on school campuses. The measure, however, does not include teachers.
The school board approved the measure with a vote of 4-2. Teachers or anyone who oversees a classroom will not be allowed to carry weapons.
The moves comes weeks after a gunman walked inside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and killed 19 students and two teachers.
However, even with the mass shooting in mind, Thursday night's vote in Cobb County didn't come without controversy.
A group of protests delayed the meeting as some chanted "delay the vote." School board member Dr. Jaha Howard tried to get a motion passed to move the vote to next month, but the board voted against it.
Some parents were outraged over the policy. Laura Judge believes the move could be dangerous.
"You have younger kids that are curious and they’re looking for different things, I don’t want them to happen upon a weapon and then you have older kids that are bigger than some of these individuals and I don’t want them to wrestle a weapon away," said Judge, who is a parent.
Alisha Thomas Searcy, running for Georgia’s state school superintendent, said the language in the policy is too vague.
“We’re talking about the lives of children, the lives of educators, that deserves the time and attention and thoroughness to sit down with professionals, law enforcement in particular to make sure the right policy is in place," Searcy said.
With the new measure, employees carrying a gun would be reporting to public safety and would also have to be trained in judgment, pistol shooting, marksmanship, and have a review of current laws relating to the use of force and self-defense. There will also be psychological screening and a background check conducted.
The superintendent can waive the training requirements if the employee has already received law enforcement or military training. The superintendent also has a say in what types of weapons can be used.
Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said the armed employees would not be identified; he said keeping that part a secret will help prevent would-be attackers.
11Alive is working to get more details about the measure. This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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