By Emily Wood
 
November 19, 2009
 
MEDFORD, Ore. - The Medford School District says it is "pleased" with the Oregon Court of Appeals ruling against South Medford High School Teacher Shirley Katz.
 
On Wednesday the court upheld a ruling against the English teacher, who sought to bring a gun to school. In April, Katz appealed a Jackson County Circuit Court ruling which stated the Medford School District had the authority to prohibit guns on campus.
 
Katz argued that state law allowed her to bring her concealed weapon into public buildings since she had a permit. The appeals court disagreed, ruling that the district's policy was not contrary to state law.
 
Katz says she needed the nine millimeter pistol for protection against her ex-husband.
 
Katz's attorney says they are disappointed with the decision and thinks the court interpreted the state's conceal-carry statute too narrowly.
 
Katz now has two options. She has 14 days to request a motion to reconsider from the court of appeals, which her attorney says could take about two months for a result. Or she can go straight to the Oregon State Supreme Court. Katz has 35 days to decide if she wants to file a petition to review the case with the supreme court.
 
Her attorney says the petition process could take a year.
 
Katz was unavailable for comment Thursday.