“We need to do something because it is totally out of control. Only in the United States, this is happening. I don’t hear about this happening anywhere else,” Clarence Celestine, a disabled veteran.

Security in schools is now the topic of conversation. While the idea of teachers carrying concealed weapons is up in the air for the future, the Lafayette Parish School board are meeting to discuss safety measures they can increase today.

The school board is searching for safety measures beyond the pre-existing ones in place.

“We’re going to talk to some law enforcement agencies and safety consultants and engineers and have them kind of look at our facilities and look at what needs to be done,” said Joe Craig, Chief Administrative Officer.

This includes $75,000 for metal detectors at Lafayette, Carencro, Comeaux and Acadiana high.

“You’re going to need some type of security guard until they get it in better control,” said Celestine. He says kids are using the same weapons they’ve seen on the war grounds. “That’s a dangerous powerful gun. It’s not like a 38 or a 45 you know.”

Retired teacher, Marie Celestine adds, “And that’s what we’re trying to avoid. Having everybody with guns. It’s not a war going on,” she said.

She argues that prayer needs to be added back in the classroom. Not guns.”Why not say bring God back into the schools. You telling kids not to bring it but you saying arm the teachers,” said Celestine.

She argues that teachers are only human and kids will be kids.

“If you trip and fall with that gun and a child picks up that gun. You don’t know how that child is going to react.”

As for Lafayette Parish, officials hope to get a budget approved by Wednesday, March 7th on increased security measures.