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Teacher raises for police training?

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North Carolina is considering a bill that would give teachers a $3,000 pay raise if they complete training to become a school resource officer, with the same powers as a police officer. School districts could decide whether those teachers carry firearms on campus, but the identity of teacher-officers would be secret. Supporters argue this will make schools safer. Opponents argue teachers should only have one mission: teaching.

Read more about issues related to guns in New Hampshire

“Should NH create a program that gives teachers a raise if they complete police officer training?”

Discussion held on Citizens Count website and Facebook page June 3, 2018

110 citizens responded 59 citizens were opposed to giving teachers raises for completing police training30 citizens were in favor of giving teachers raises for completing police training 21 citizens commented on related questions or issues
What Participants Said

No: 59 citizens were opposed to giving teachers a raise if they complete police officer training.

  • “No. … Teachers should teach, and be compensated accordingly.”
  • “Teachers ought to carry. School districts ought to let them carry. But nobody pays me to protect myself and those around me, and I shouldn't be forced to pay teachers to do the same.”
  • “Nope. No teacher should bear that responsibility.”

Yes: 30 citizens were in favor of giving teachers a raise if they complete police officer training.

  • “Yes. Provided it's voluntary. A good guy with a gun is the most effective way to stop a bad guy with a gun.”
  • “Anyone who opposes the idea of arming teachers clearly doesn't care about children. How can you folks live with yourselves when your irrational fear of firearms means more to you than the lives of innocent students?”
  • “I think this is a great idea.”

Other: 21 citizens addressed their comments to related questions and issues.
These included:

  • Funding: “Where's this $3000.00 coming from? People are taxed a lot now to pay for public education.”
  • Indecision: “Mixed feelings on this. Shouldn't even have to be considered in the first darn place.”
  • Teacher pay rates: “Give all teachers a $3000 raise to live on.”

*Editor selection of actual participant quotes.

Read the full Facebook discussion of this question

Click here for details on our methodology

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