Tahlequah school months into increased security

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - A Green Country school is ahead of the curve, with a plan in place that many districts have just begun discussing.

Sequoyah Schools in Tahlequah has employed armed guards since June, and further increased security following the tragic shooting massacre in Newtown, Conn.

The guards are actually three Cherokee Nation marshals, assigned to the school full-time.

"Our kids are our most precious possession," said Shannon Buhl, Cherokee Nation Marshal Service Director.

Buhl won't say how much the guards cost, but the cost doesn't seem to bother him.

"Don't care," Buhl said. "How's that? I truly don't care."

"I would much rather spend the money up front than explain to a parent why we didn't," he said.