Horne critical of Phoenix Union board for rejection of safety officers

Board voted against wishes of principals and PXU administrators

PHOENIX – A recent vote by the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) governing board rejecting requests of two high schools’ administrators and employees for armed officers was an error and puts those campuses at risk, according to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.

Flanked by three current or former PXU educators, Horne requested that board members who voted against requests to have armed officers at Betty Fairfax and Carl Hayden high schools reconsider their votes.

Horne stated, “The governing board made a mistake by rejecting the wishes of its district administrators and the two principals of these schools.  Board members do not have to show up on campus every school day and deal with safety problems, but teachers, students and staff do. They know how bad the situation has become. Principals at these two schools requested armed officers through the state’s School Safety program that the Department of Education agreed to pay for them. The board should have respected the wishes of its own educators.”

He added, “Should the unthinkable happen and an armed maniac kills students at a school as we have seen in other states, the parents of those students would never forgive those responsible for failing to provide protection for the school.”

Retired PXU teacher Mark Williams said, “Superintendent Tom Horne is attempting to protect students and staff by an ever-increasing threat of violence because some parents are failing to parent, and the school board is bending to a very few but vocal community about not having their children around police officers. One should ask ‘why’?”

Susan Groff, National Board Certified Teacher added, “As a retired teacher and longtime resident of this community, I have seen firsthand the positive impact School Resource Officers have in our high schools. Their presence not only enhances safety but fosters trust and support among student and staff.”

Pamela Kelley, M. Ed.  continued, "All Phoenix Union High School District Schools need metal detectors and School Resource Officers (SRO's) for the safety and security of the students, staff, and visitors."

The School Safety Program is administered by the Arizona Department of Education and funding remains available for campus officers.