The Lead Off
- More than 110 Ohio school districts and schools report having staff members authorized to carry firearms on campus.
- State data shows 116 total districts and independent schools participate in the armed staff program.
- The policy follows a 2022 Ohio law that lowered training requirements for armed school personnel.
Armed staff presence grows across Ohio schools
COLUMBUS, OHIO (WOWO) More than 110 Ohio school districts and schools have staff members authorized to carry firearms on school grounds, according to the Ohio School Safety Center, as participation in the state’s armed staff program continues to expand.
State figures show a total of 116 school districts and independent schools currently have armed employees as of June 17. Officials say the participating schools include a mix of rural, suburban, and urban districts, along with several Christian schools.
According to the data, more than 70 public school districts and 15 Christian schools are included in the program according to the Ohio Capital Journal.
State law allows armed staff in schools
The program stems from legislation signed in 2022 by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, which allows local school boards to decide whether teachers and other school employees may carry firearms on school property.
The law also reduced the minimum required training hours for armed school personnel from 700 hours to at least 24 hours. School boards, however, are permitted to require additional training beyond the state minimum.
Supporters of local control say the law gives districts flexibility to make safety decisions based on local needs, while critics argue the reduced training requirements are not sufficient for school environments.
Debate over training and safety standards
Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper criticized the minimum training standard, saying it does not adequately prepare staff for high-pressure situations.
“It’s not a sufficient amount of training,” Cropper said.
“We’re talking about highly intense situations that require a lot of not only tactical training on how to use weapons. but how to deal with making split second decisions.”
Cropper testified against the legislation during the 2021 legislative process.
“I wish that (the lawmakers) would trust us with what we’re actually trained to do, which is to educate students,” Cropper said. “We are firm believers in local control around issues, but we still think it is bad policy for schools to allow teachers to carry guns.”
School districts describe safety rationale
Antwerp Local Schools in Paulding County is among the districts that have armed staff members, a policy that has been in place for several years.
District superintendent Marty Miller said the decision was influenced by concerns about emergency response times in the rural community.
“Our concern for us was if there was a situation that unfolded, what kind of law enforcement could we get here, and how fast,” Miller said.
The district currently has four armed staff members, all of whom receive annual training, and also employs a school resource officer.
“We are confident that they will respond if needed, and that they are there just gives us a better feeling when something happens,” Miller said.
Miller said the district chose to arm non-teaching staff who move throughout the school day rather than classroom teachers.
Communication and safety policies in districts
Miller also said Antwerp Local Schools informs the public about the presence of armed staff, describing it as part of a broader safety strategy.
“If it can be a deterrent — and what may appear that there’s only one police officer in town, kind of thing, but there are armed staff — that might convince a bad person who has intentions, ‘maybe I won’t go near that place’ because of that,” Miller said.
“It’s just letting the public know that your children are protected.”
In Cuyahoga County, Euclid City Schools implemented its armed staff program in 2022, according to district spokesperson Dominick Ferlito.
Ferlito said all armed employees in the district are trained through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.
“Our top priority is providing students and staff with a safe, welcoming environment where students are free to learn, create and reach their full potential,” Ferlito said in an email.
He added that the district continues to coordinate with local law enforcement and safety partners to review and update safety protocols.
The Takeaway
- State data shows that armed staff programs are now active in 116 Ohio school districts and independent schools, reflecting a broader implementation of the 2022 state law allowing local school boards to authorize firearms on campus.
- The law significantly reduced minimum training requirements for armed school personnel from 700 hours to 24 hours, though districts retain the authority to require additional instruction based on local policy decisions.
- While some school officials cite response time and deterrence as reasons for participation, education advocates continue to raise concerns about training standards and the role of firearms in school environments.
Next steps
School districts across Ohio are expected to continue reviewing their armed staff policies and training requirements as part of ongoing safety planning. State officials and local school boards are likely to revisit implementation standards as participation in the program remains in place heading into the upcoming school year.
