LITTLE ROCK, AR – A member of the State Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies resigned Thursday following a divided vote to allow Arkansas school districts to arm staff and teachers.
Joey Smith of Searcy submitted a two sentence resignation letter to governor Mike Beebe’s office on Wednesday.
The letter does not list a reason for the resignation.
The seven member board approved private security commissions for thirteen school districts for a two year period.
The vote was 3-2 in favor with one member absent and the chairman only voting in case of a tie.
Board chairman Ralph Sims tells FOX16 that Smith resigned for personal reasons.
“His resignation was unfortunate, but I appreciate his service to the state,” Sims says.
The decision to approve the commissions went against the advice provided to the board by staff from the office of Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.
Assistant attorney general Ka Tina Hodge told board members that despite the fact that the statute governing private security licenses had been misinterpreted for 23 years, the board was within its power to revoke the licenses.
Clarksville Schools superintendent David Hopkins says his district has resumed his school security plan effective immediately, which he says includes arming teachers.
“Now that they are (commissions) reinstated we’re back in business and so we have armed security on our campus,” Hopkins says.
Twelve other districts have a similar license but none of have indicated plans to arm teachers or classroom staff.
Joey Smith of Searcy submitted a two sentence resignation letter to governor Mike Beebe’s office on Wednesday.
The letter does not list a reason for the resignation.
The seven member board approved private security commissions for thirteen school districts for a two year period.
The vote was 3-2 in favor with one member absent and the chairman only voting in case of a tie.
Board chairman Ralph Sims tells FOX16 that Smith resigned for personal reasons.
“His resignation was unfortunate, but I appreciate his service to the state,” Sims says.
The decision to approve the commissions went against the advice provided to the board by staff from the office of Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.
Assistant attorney general Ka Tina Hodge told board members that despite the fact that the statute governing private security licenses had been misinterpreted for 23 years, the board was within its power to revoke the licenses.
Clarksville Schools superintendent David Hopkins says his district has resumed his school security plan effective immediately, which he says includes arming teachers.
“Now that they are (commissions) reinstated we’re back in business and so we have armed security on our campus,” Hopkins says.
Twelve other districts have a similar license but none of have indicated plans to arm teachers or classroom staff.
