Eastern Ohio district approves arming staff members
GNADENHUTTEN — The Indian Valley Board of Education in northeastern Ohio has voted to allow some employees to carry firearms on school premises and in designated school safety zones.
The new policy likely will begin this fall in the district, which is in Tuscarawas County, south of New Philadelphia. Several nearby districts already allow armed staff members in their buildings. Among them are Newcomerstown Exempted Village Local Schools, Coshocton City Schools and River View Local Schools.
The Indian Valley district already has identified staff members who will undergo training, Superintendent Ira Wentworth said following Monday’s board meeting. He would not identify the employees.
Board members gave unanimous approval to the new weapons policy and a resolution permitting qualifying staff members to possess firearms on school premises.
“We have done this painstakingly, slowly, consciously, and it’s going to happen,” board President Bob Hall said. “It’s not going to happen until we’re sure that every duck is aligned. We’re going to do it. We’re going to do it right. We’ve started that way and that’s how we’re going to finish.”
Added board member Larry Holmes: “I think we’re doing the right thing. I think we’re doing what the public wants us to do, and we’re doing the right thing for the kids.”
The district already has taken other steps in connection with the safety of students and staff at its buildings.
In January, Indian Valley reached an agreement with the Tuscarawas County sheriff’s office to supply a deputy to serve as a schoolresource officer. Under the terms of the agreement, all deputies would possess full arrest powers.
The resource officer will work in the district until the end of the school year.
Indian Valley has received support for the idea of arming staff members from local law enforcement, who want to be involved in the training when Indian Valley moves forward with it.
Wentworth stressed that Indian Valley will take its time implementing this new policy.
“Now we just continue with the preparation and the training,” he said. “We’re just going to take our time and make sure that we are painstakingly careful that we cross every T and dot every I and make sure we do things right.
“If for some reason we’re not quite ready when the fall comes, we’re not going to push it.”
Indian Valley has schools in four communities in Tuscarawas County. The high school is in Gnadenhutten and the middle school is in Tuscarawas. Elementary schools are in Port Washington and Midvale.