The best way to keep Prince William students safe: More guns?

WOODBRIDGE — What’s the best way to keep more Prince William County Public Schools students safe from gun violence? 

Armed, retired police officers in schools, according to Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman At-large Corey Stewart. 

On Tuesday, he ordered County Executive Christopher Martino to begin working with the school division on a plan to add more armed security to county schools.

“Protecting the children of this county is a top priority. This common-sense solution will improve the safety and security of our schools, which is why it received bipartisan, unanimous support from the entire Board. Professional, highly-trained retired police officers will do a great job keeping our children safe,” he wrote in a press release. 

The idea came about during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting during individual “supervisors time.” He said he would like to get the program funded this year, and that it may be too late in the state’s budgetary process to get any financial assistance from Richmond. 

Brentsville District Supervisor Jeanine Lawson said the security director at Patriot High School in her district is a retired police officer, works full time, but only receives part-time pay.

“I like your directive, and we can’t do it fast enough,” said Lawson.

Stewart cautioned that the Board of Supervisors alone cannot order the school division to accept more armed guards in schools, aside from the school resource police officers that already work at some middle and high schools. The School Board and his would need to work together. 

Prince William County’s School Board met Wednesday night. 

“As part of its commitment to safe and secure schools, the School Board agreed to have further discussions with the County Board of Supervisors to review the feasibility of this proposal,” schools spokeswoman Diana Gulotta stated in an email.

Those who represent educators aren’t thrilled with the idea.

“By putting more guns in schools, we’re turning our places of education into armed fortresses,” said Virginia Education Association President Jim Livingston.

He said he has not seen the details of Stewart’s plan, but fears it would deter from the open learning environment. His association plans a new series of discussions with local VEA members, school administrators, and teachers to come up with a new plan that doesn’t involve more guns.

There are 17 schools in Prince William County with assigned SROs. It’s a mix of middle and high schools in both the eastern side and mid-county areas.

Stewart said it would be more cost effective to hire retired police officers to fill the role of armed security at schools rather than to expand the SRO program.

Stewart’s order comes after 17 were shot and killed, and 17 more wounded at a high school in Parkland, Fla. on Feb. 14. 

He’s also a Republican hopeful in a U.S. Senate race this year against incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine.

Since the Parkland shooting, there have been multiple instances of charges filed against Prince William County students who allegedly made threats to harm others while on school grounds: 

March 5 and 7 at Lake Ridge and Rippon middle schools, respectively

March 5 at Gar-Field Senior High School 

Feb. 26 at Covington-Harper Elementary School 

Lawson will hold a town hall meeting with Brentsville District School Board Representative Gill Trenum Friday, March 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Chris Yung Elementary School, 12612 Fog Light Way, Bristow.

On Monday, Coles District Supervisor Marty Nohe, School Board representatives Willie Deutsch and Diane Raulston, in conjunction with PWC Moms will host a special discussion about school violence at Colgan High School, located at 13833 Dumfries Road at 7 p.m.