The threat of gun violence in local schools prompted calls for improved safety measures during a Bend-La Pine School Board meeting Tuesday.

A group of parents, teachers and concerned residents took turns speaking at the meeting, motivated in part from what Bend Police say was a credible threat from a teenager against students at Bend High School.

Steve Kramer, who has grandchildren in the school district, said at the meeting he has become more concerned than ever after hearing about the Marshall High School student who made threats on social media about wanting to shoot several unspecified students at Bend High.

Kramer went on to say he understands guns are a part of the culture, but the idea of arming teachers to defend his grandchildren does not sit well with him. Arming teachers, however, has not been discussed as an option in Bend-La Pine Schools.

“I don’t think any of the teachers want to see that and want to participate in that,” Kramer said. “At least the input I’m getting back from teachers.”

La Pine resident Lynette Confer, a mother of three, spoke about the importance of listening to the students and involving them in efforts to make schools safer.

“Our kids need to be heard,” Confer said. “It’s time to listen and make changes and be willing to change the policies and procedures we’ve adopted before.”

Angela Chisum — who founded the Facebook group, “Parents, Students, Teachers, Friends of Bend La Pine School District Against Gun Violence,” which has more than 2,400 members — emphasized how safety needs to be made the district’s No. 1 priority. Chisum said she is already seeing that, after Superintendent Shay Mikalson sent an email to parents Monday detailing ways to address gun violence and school safety.

Mikalson appreciated the public comments Tuesday, telling the group, “We are stronger together.” He also acknowledged how the school board is currently working on the issues. The board has a community outreach event scheduled in May to discuss the topic of mental health.

“You make sure safety is an ever-present priority,” Mikalson told the board Tuesday. “ I know the amount of effort and time behind the scenes you are doing in that work, and I know as much as even today you are advocating correctly for the needs of our students.”

Part of Mikalson’s email urged parents to immediately lobby for legislative action following a request to lawmakers from Bend-La Pine Schools to increase penalties for terroristic threats.

However, that proposal stalled soon after it started amid First Amendment concerns.

Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, on Monday afternoon requested the House Judiciary Committee propose an amendment making threats to commit a terroristic act a felony.

The amendment was on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting. But it was not brought up for a vote because of concerns it would be overturned as unconstitutional if passed.

“We’re not going to be able to move that one this time because of the First Amendment issues that have come up,” said Rep. Jeff Barker, D-Aloha, chair of the committee. “We will continue to work on it during the interim, and hopefully next session we will be able to get that straightened out.”

The failure of the amendment to move forward means the issue won’t be addressed until the 2019 session of the Legislature starts next February.

The bill can be worked on during the interim “committee days,” in which lawmakers come to Salem for hearings and meetings to jump-start bills at the very beginning of the next session.

Matt Markee, a lobbyist for Bend-La Pine Schools, spoke briefly to the committee.

“Due to recent events that took place in Bend at their high school this last week, they have firsthand experience as to why something like this is necessary,” Markee said.

The lobbyist said the district was ready to work with lawmakers on legislation to address the issue.

Knopp said he planned on introducing new legislation on the issue in 2019.

“I will continue to work on the bill until we pass it,” Knopp said.

— Gary A. Warner, of The Bulletin staff, contributed to this report.

— Reporter: 541-617-7820, kspurr@bendbulletin.com