KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — After some unnerving incidents with parents carrying guns into schools, the Kalamazoo School Board is moving to ban all guns on school property.
There would be exceptions for law enforcement, guns used as props in theatrical productions and starting pistols at track meets, but students, parents and anyone else would be banned from carrying a weapon onto school property at any time. That would include school buses used to transport fans or parents to games.
Because of a quirk in the way recent gun restrictions were worded, concealed weapons were banned, but it was interpreted that open carry guns were not.
It was called a loophole and it allowed a man to open carry into his daughter’s music program at the Croyden Avenue facility of K-RESA, triggering a lock-down at the facility several times last year.
Superintendent Michael Rice says the court of appeals ruling on cases out of Clio and Ann Arbor has changed that interpretation opening the opportunity to take a stand
Trustees made it clear they favor the ban. They took their first look at the new policy Thursday night. It will back at their next meeting for public comment and a final vote.
It was the first meeting of the New Year, and Kalamazoo’s School Board got reorganized last night.Newly elected board member Dr. Lauren Freedman, who was picked by voters in November was sworn into office.
Patti Scholler-Barber has been reelected to chair the board.
Carol McGlinn was reelected to be Vice-Chair.
