Statewide candidates reject arming teachers

Education issues were on the minds of Oconee County Democratic Party delegates and the statewide candidates they heard from during their convention last night in Seneca. Two Democratic hopefuls for governor, James Smith and Marguerite Willis, say they are opposed to arming teachers as a way to help stop school shootings, and Willis was applauded for saying it. Receiving a lot of debate during the resolution part of the convention was whether the local Democrats support the idea of school uniforms. Some think requiring kids to dress the same would help deter bullying and reduce gang activity. But the Oconee Democrats had a lot of questions about the worthiness of school uniforms, including who would pay for the uniforms. And, after delegate Ken Marsh, raised the cost question, the Democrats discarded the resolution.