After two students were found with guns at school last week, the Rome City School system canceled class on Friday and the Rome Board of Education held a called meeting to discuss the safety of students.
The meeting was attended by concerned parents after the two teenagers – one age 15 and another age 16 – came to school last week with weapons. Both guns were loaded, and stolen, according to Rome City Police.
Board members questioned Interim Rome School Supt. Dawn Williams about the gun incidents and asked about safety measures and how many school resource officers were present as school started back in Rome. The board then voted to go into executive session to discuss the issue. The Rome News-Tribune objected to the board members going behind closed doors to discuss the matter. Georgia law allows for closed meetings to discuss real estate deals, personnel and potential litigation. The school board’s attorney cited a provision about school safety that he said made the closed-door session legal.
Parents at the meeting called for metal detectors to be installed at schools – something board members said would be welcomed, but said that would require extensive training – and funds.
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