I don't know about this school, but last I heard, no school shooting has ever taken place where a full-time armed security guard or police officer were on site.

YOURE RIGHT!!!

The shootings are happening in schools, temples, churches, malls, theaters and other public places. Should we place armed guards at all of these? Can you say...Police State? No? Then let's just scare the bejeesus out of elementary school kids with an armed guard letting them into school. The district has a camera and locked entrance policy in place. Anyone who comes in before the doors are locked is in the building!! They can be anywhere. Nothing is perfect, but a guard with a gun will not do it either.

As much as it pains me to agree with Karl, a school isn't a temple, church, mall, theater or other public place. It is one of two places I can think of, summer camps being the other, where hundreds or thousands of young children are congregated without their parents. I have zero problem with extra protection. Also, we're not talking about a team in S.W.A.T gear hiding in corners, we're talking about a highly trained person doing his job in plain sight for all to see.

For the record, I also have very little problem with armed guards at almost any place. I don't want to walk through metal detectors and get a pat down wherever I go, but I don't think that's what anyone here has suggested.

I'm a proponent of guns and conceal and carry type laws, but those do come with some real concerns. Mostly, they're too easy to obtain. However, in addition to those laws (preferably with more common sense) as a deterrent, if scumbags who want to hurt other people know that trained guards are there with a gun, there's a good chance that will be an additional deterrent. I'm all for deterrents, especially when my children could be in harm's way.

Sue, There already are armed school resource officers at both high schools, and all three middle schools and I believe they split time at the elementary schools, although, I'm not positive.

Google Beslan Russia Massacre. It's only a matter of time. Chances are slim that it would be a Mehlville school, but it will be an American school.

Armed resource officers in a middle or high school is different than in an elementary school. I have seen the SRO's. Most of them are nowhere near an entrance where they would be needed. The other problem is that every school has numerous outside entrances. I believe Rogers has 9, Which one would you position a guard at? Rogers is on 3 levels,all of which have outside entrances. This gunman shot or broke out the glass in the doors.
As for the Belan Russia Massacre, do you honestly think 1 guard, even armed, would prevent something like this? Schools are as safe as humanly possible. Every teacher and employee in our schools would give their life to protect the kids. One of the problems in Mehlville is that not all the classrooms and special rooms have locks on them that you can lock from the inside. Just from the outside with a key.
Bottom line is that as long as people have guns, no place is totally safe.

Yes. I do. 31 school shootings since Columbine and not one with an armed officer on-site.

Can't help but notice when these horrific acts of violence occur we are all called to pray ... what will it take to open the eyes that prayer IN the schools b4 these events occur would be preferred. Remove the God of our forefathers from the schools, the courts, the government and chaos reigns. I do pray for these innocent victims and their families , I also pray for the country we live in and have torn apart from it's foundation imo we reap what we sow as a nation and the innocence is lost.

A friend of mine said, and I couldn't agree more, "I've noticed a disturbing trend in response to the CT shootings. There have been some people (and preachers such as Mike Huckabee) who somehow want to attribute the shootings to God not being allowed in public schools. If you start to believe this, you really need to step back and think about the god you are worshiping -- how petty and spiteful is this deity if he would allow innocent children and adults to be slaughtered just because he somehow felt slighted. If you hear your preacher/priest start to say anything like this, please tell them to shut up."

And another friend, "To everyone who keeps posting that this shooting happened because God isn't allowed in schools. Please get your facts straight. The Supreme Court has NOT eliminated prayer in school. All that has been restricted is the ability of a teacher, principal or student to lead a prayer during class time or at school-sponsored event. You know, that whole "no law respecting an establishment of religion" thing. Students may still pray or read the Bible on their own time. They can have religious clubs and prayer groups. They just cannot force other students to adhere to their religious belief. (I think in other conservative rantings I've heard of this as Sharia Law.) Public education is for for ALL children. Not just for those who accept Jesus as their savior. If you want more religion in school, you are free to choose a religious school. I will close with a couple of questions. If God is all powerful, how can he not be in any building he/she wishes? If he is all merciful, why does he/she allow innocent children to be slaughtered?"