Mat-Su School Board Approves Gun Carry Options For Teachers & Staff At School

Those Carrying Weapons Into Mat-Su Classrooms Have To Bring Their Own 

Palmer farm in the 'Matanuska' section of the Mat-Su Valley. (Photo, Journal archives, 2010)

'Qualified' teachers and staff working for the Mat-Su School District have been authorized by the Mat-Su School Board to carry concealed weapons at the schools. 

The $450,000-a-year program allows a concealed carry permit in Mat-Su.  Those chosen for the job have to finish 24 to 40 hours of preliminary training, followed by 8 to 24 hours of training each year. 

The successful gun-carriers must bring their own guns to school, and pass 'psychological evaluations'. They'll receive $500 a year for their efforts. According to the Mat-Su Sentinel, the gun-carrying teachers and staff workers would help Wasilla and Palmer police. The district apparently pays local cops to monitor some of the schools. 

The district serves around 19,000 students in 49 public schools. School board member Tom Bergey (who grew up in Gakona and went to school in Glennallen) joined one other board member opposing the idea, which passed 5 to 2. Bergey apparently voted no, believing the school board lacked authority to make such a move. 

Originally, the idea was supposed to cost $700,000 for the first year, according to the Mat-Su Sentinel, and have the possibility of funding 150 gun-carrying school staff. But currently it seems only around 10 people want to carry guns to work at their local schools.