The recent San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District regular meeting offered hours for debate with experts and others weighing in on the question of whether or not the district needs a school marshal program.
Most of those in attendance on Monday said they were there to speak about program concerns and to hear a presentation on the school marshal program presented by Director of School Safety and Health Services Doug Wozniak and San Marcos Police Department Chief Stan Standridge. The marshal program issue is one fraught with contention as many in the room were highly vocal against having concealed weapons on campuses. Numerous community members and students in attendance spoke against the concept of a marshal program in the public comments portion of the meeting.
At the end of the meeting which included a 2-hour executive session, the board approved with a vote of seven to one, with San Marcos CISD Trustee at Large Dr. Mari Salmi dissenting, moving forward with seeking a preliminary design of a marshal program for the elementary schools in the district. According to the board Monday, following the drafting of program specifics, the trustees will come back to the table for a vote for implementation.
