Statesman photo by Don Treul Nathan Batson requested use of BISD facilities for a karate class, during Monday's board meeting. The board denied the request at this time. In April, a Brownsboro Independent School District elementary student carried a loaded gun on a bus headed for school. A bus monitor quickly defused the danger before the bus reached any campus.

Monday, May 11, BISD trustees considered what measures can be taken to prevent the incident from happening again.

"The stance we really need to take is education with the kids," said Brownsboro High School Assistant Principal Jeff Howard. "We looked at a proactive stance, a reactive stance; through education we need to build trust relations with our kids."

After closely considering the district's options regard- ing measures to prevent a repeat of the April incident, Howard said it would not generate trust to require students to carry clear backpacks and/or purses, to use metal detectors or to require mandatory searches.

Instead, Howard suggested implementing programs, such as Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, a gun safety program sponsored by the National Rifle Association for students in kindergarten through third grade, or STAR (Straight Talk About Risks) a program initially developed in Washington, D.C., that includes older students and involves instructional interaction with local police departments.

"This was a wake-up call for a lot of parents," Howard said and indicated that parents need to be involved in the education process. "It's a lot like (teaching about) medications. It's the same concept."

BISD Trustee Bobby Teague asked Howard how a program would be imple- mented and Howard said the school principals would have to determine what program would be best for their respective campus.

Because the incident was on a school bus headed for a campus, BISD Trustee Dusty Wise said that may need to be addressed.

"There needs to be some sort of class for all bus drivers, " Wise said.

Howard said the district will be considering policies and procedures for bus drivers regarding how to handle situations when a student possesses a weapon. Additionally, Howard said the district will consider more options and present more information to the board at a future meeting.

Also, trustees denied a request to allow Tyler Kenshin Kan Karate Academy use of school facilities to offer a class or classes of instructional karate at a charge to students.

According to the district's policy regarding non-school use of school facilities, the district can not permit for profit organizations to use school facilities for financial gain.

"We're bound by the rules," said BISD Trustee Becky Grantham.

However, the district may permit private academic instruction under the supervision of district employees as part of the instructional curriculum. BISD Superintendent Elton Caldwell said the district will consider the possibility of contracting future karate instructions.

In other action, the board approved a contract with Interquest Detection Canines of North Texas for $2,580 for the contract year to provide contraband detection canines; approved a contract with Complete Communications of Tyler to replace the intercom system at Brownsboro Junior High School; authorized Caldwell to employ professional personnel through Aug. 7; and approved naming and certifying Caldwell to the Regional Advisory Committee for the Region 7 Education Service Center.