MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s public schools chief is giving schools guidance for a program that would allow designated administrators to access guns or weapons stored on campus.

Superintendent Eric Mackey sent the Friday memo to school system emphasizing that program is voluntary. He outlined a suggested multi-step process for schools that want to participate.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced the “School Sentry Program” earlier this year. She called it an option for schools without resource officers.

Sentry candidates would go through training with state police and the sheriff would decide whether to deputize them as a reserve deputy.

The proposal was one of the recommendations of a school safety task force Ivey created. The announcement came after a proposal to allow teachers to carry guns did not pass in this year’s legislative session.