(COLUMBUS) - Armed employees are now part of the safety plan in 116 Ohio school districts and independent schools.
State figures from the Ohio School Safety Center show those schools and districts had staff members authorized to carry firearms on campus as of June 17.
The list includes rural, suburban and urban districts, along with several Christian schools. More than 70 public school districts and 15 Christian schools are included in the program.
Who Decides
The program follows a 2022 Ohio law signed by Governor Mike DeWine.
The law allows local school boards to decide whether teachers and other school employees may carry firearms on school property.
School boards are also allowed to set training requirements above the state minimum.
Support And Opposition
Supporters say the law gives school districts flexibility to make safety decisions based on local needs.
Critics say the minimum training requirement is not enough for school environments.
Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper said the training standard does not adequately prepare staff for high-pressure situations involving firearms and split-second decisions.
Cropper said educators are trained to educate students, not carry guns in schools.
Why Some Districts Use Armed Staff
Antwerp Local Schools in Paulding County is among the districts with armed staff members.
Superintendent Marty Miller said the decision was influenced by concerns about how quickly law enforcement could respond in the rural community.
The district has four armed staff members who receive annual training. It also employs a school resource officer.
Miller said Antwerp chose to arm non-teaching staff who move throughout the building during the school day rather than classroom teachers.
Training And Local Policies
Euclid City Schools in Cuyahoga County implemented its armed staff program in 2022.
District spokesperson Dominick Ferlito said all armed employees in the district are trained through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.
Districts across Ohio are expected to continue reviewing armed staff policies and training requirements as part of ongoing safety planning.