Another Ohio school makes public its decision to arm staffers to protect students

by Chad D. Baus

Northeast Ohio news media are reporting that 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.

From the The Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio:

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."

Few details of the plan were released, and Superintendent Jeff Staggs indicated that is part of the intent.

"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."

The selected employees must undergo tactical training and be recertified by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Department every year. They also must have a permit to carry a concealed handgun.

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.

But he added that one employee already has gone through training provided by the Buckeye Firearms Association.

According to the article, earlier this year, a citizens group asked the board to allow guns in the district's buildings and that school employees be trained and armed.

The group, calling itself the Parent Safety Committee, cited a New York Daily News report that stated, "With a single exception, every multiple-victim public shooting in the U.S. in which more than three people have been killed since at least 1950 has taken place where citizens are not allowed to carry their own firearms."

The committee contended there was a need to "get rid of gun-free zones" such as schools, where no one is armed to combat an attack by an outsider.

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.

In its coverage of the announcement, WJW (Fox Cleveland) interviewed area residents who said they were supportive of the plan.

Joyce Weaver, a life-long resident, agreed with the decision. "I think it's okay as long as they're trained and they don't panic at an intruder and you make sure the intruder is actually an intruder."

..."You're never really prepared for that, you think you are in your brain, your mind, but when actually somebody points a gun in your face, what are you gonna do? You have to have something to protect those children," said Joyce Weaver.

According to Fox 8, Newcomerstown Board of Education Member Arlene Mayhew said that the plan moved forward with little opposition after the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut.

Jim Irvine from the Buckeye Firearms Association, which was involved in the process to arm the faculty in Newcomerstown, told FOX 8 News, "Any district that has not revamped their security is negligent and the kids are at risk."

The Buckeye Firearms Association spokesman also said other Ohio schools are taking similar action and more want to learn about the process. The Ohio School Board Association does not keep a count of the number of schools participating in similar programs and the Ohio Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment.

While several other schools have made their decision to arm staffers public, there are others still which have chosen to keep such plans confidential, as part of the school safety plan which is not available to public records requests.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.