CHERRY TWP — Moniteau School Board formed a committee to address security concerns after more than 100 parents and community members attended Monday night's meeting that was moved to the high school auditorium.

Jen Rottman, a parent, handed a petition with 856 signatures of parents and community members to the school board. The petition asked the board to implement specific security measures.

“Those signatures have been taken over a 10-day span,” Rottman said. “We are asking for armed police officers at our schools and metal detectors.”

Many also spoke asking for the same demands and for the measures to be implemented next year.

Annmarie Hepler, a parent, said she understands that the board is in a stressful situation, but the community wants quicker results.

“In the last 48 days of school, there have been eight school shootings, one of which has happened since we last saw each other,” Hepler said. “We've built a coalition. We're not going away.”

Cecil Blauser, who made the motion to approve the committee, said he would like to see both security measures implemented, but the board needs to look into its options and gather more information about the options.

“We have to do what's right for the kids,” Blauser said.

Blauser said the community's support is what could make research faster by lending their own experience to the committee and continuing to attend meetings.

“It's a pretty tight community,” he said. “They want to put the kids first.”

Superintendent Sean Arney, who will also handle the selection of the committee members, said the district has been implementing new security measures for the past five weeks, and will continue to look for new ways to make the schools safer.

“The board has now charged me with developing a committee,” Arney said. “We have to throw everything on the table and discuss all of our options.”

Arney said the goal is to develop a security system that will last long-term.

“What we're moving forward with is looking at any options with more aggressive security measures,” he said.

Arney said until the committee finds more information on the requested armed guards and metal detectors, he encourages the community to stay involved.

“I have kids of my own, so I understand,” he said. “I like the involvement that the community is coming out with.”