Gun proposal draws a rapid recall reaction

A North Idaho school trustee who is pushing a plan to arm teachers could face a recall election.

Steve Youngdahl
Steve Youngdahl

Opponents have gathered 75 percent of the signatures needed to launch a recall election against Lake Pend Oreille School Board chair Steve Youngdahl, according to Jessica Robinson of Boise State Public Radio.

“There’s a fantasy that’s out there, that if we have all of these armed teachers, we’re going to deter this threat and the teachers are going to be able to return fire and it’s going to be more like a ‘Die Hard’ movie than a classroom,” Tom Bokowy, a Sandpoint area parent, told Robinson.

State law allows school boards to permit teachers and other individuals to carry guns on campus. Several other districts are considering allowing teachers to carry guns to school.

Lake Pend Oreille’s superintendent Shawn Woodward opposes Youngdahl’s proposal, and a state school safety task force frowns on arming teachers.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 30 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinRichert. He can be reached at [email protected]

Get EdNews in your inbox

Weekly round up every Friday