GAINESVILLE, Ga. — A Georgia school district announced this week that it has hired a group of 10 armed security guards to spread out at every school.

Each elementary and middle school will have its own armed guard while two will be assigned to Gainesville High School.

Superintendent Jeremy Williams said more than 50 people applied for the roles. The 10 guards hired have a combined 296 years of experience in law enforcement, military and private investigation services.

All guards will report to the new Safety and Security Manager Bonner Burton, who has worked for Hall County Sheriff’s Office for 27 years.

The guards will begin their assignments on Tuesday and will undergo continuous firearm training.

“That combined with the desire for positive interaction with students and visitors will be our goal,” Burton said. “The safety of our students is a combination of high visibility, managing relationships and diligence in building and maintaining a secure campus.”

During a school board meeting, Williams acknowledged it was in response to the mass shooting at the elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

The armed guards are in addition to school resource officers supplied by Gainesville police as there are not enough city officers to be placed in every single school.

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