Ohio District To Allow Guns On School Property

A new policy authorizing employees of the Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District to carry guns on school property will go into effect for the 2013-14 academic year, according to Times Reporter.

The board of education recently approved the policy authorizing “certain persons designated by the board and superintendent to convey deadly weapons … in a school safety zone of the Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District.”

Superintendent Jeff Staggs stated that few details as to who exactly is being allowed to carry the guns is deliberately being kept quiet.

“It’s part of our school safety plan,” Staggs said. “This is a discussion we’ve had for a long time. We’ve been very transparent. We want to keep our students safe.”

Board President Jerry Lahmers said it would be counterproductive if the general public knew the number of people authorized to carry weapons or in which buildings they worked, according to Times Reporter.

The Inquisitr reported earlier this year that another Ohio school district planned to equip its janitors with guns in order to help keep the students safe.

The janitors in the Ohio school district must complete a two-day course in weapon training before they can be issued a firearm.

School board President Larry Martin explained that the Ohio district had previously considered arming its custodial staff prior to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Montpelier school district superintendent Jamison Grime had said allowing custodial staff to carry guns on school property was an effort to “substantially enhance and strengthen our security efforts.”

According to Times Reporter:

“Factors leading to the decision to arm staff were listed in the board’s resolution — a safety parent committee had recommended the move; all staff members have taken Active Shooter Training from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office; buzzer systems have been installed in all district buildings and school safety procedures have been revamped; the district is using the NaviGate program, technology that assists first responders dealing with emergencies at area schools; and the board has participated in work sessions with the Tuscarawas County sheriff, Newcomerstown police chief, and the Buckeye Firearms Association.”

Lahmers said the new policy should help keep kids safe. “I think it would be somewhat of a deterrent,” he said.

While the idea of protecting our children is very appealing, how safe can they be if guns are allowed on school property?

If handled properly, this could be a great safety measure; but will parents be reassured if they aren’t told who exactly will be allowed to carry these guns on school property?

[Image via Shutterstock/kuponjabah]