Board adopts open‑carry ban, advances concealed‑carry rules and schedules public comment

The Campbell County School District #1 Board of Trustees took multiple actions on firearm‑related policies at the meeting.

Trustees unanimously adopted Policy 1500, prohibiting open carry of firearms on district property. They also unanimously adopted Policy 5500, which states students may not carry firearms on district property (including vehicles and district transportation). The board approved Policy 4341 (Personnel Authorized to Carry Concealed Firearms) on first reading and agreed to the companion regulations; the regulation set will go through public comment and additional review before final adoption.

Why it matters: State law changed to allow concealed‑carry permit holders some access to public buildings. The district’s actions are intended to set locally enforceable rules that comply with the state statute while establishing training, storage and oversight requirements for employees authorized to carry weapons on campus.

Key elements of the proposed concealed‑carry framework - The district’s proposed Policy 4341 and accompanying regulations would require an application and approval process administered by an "armed educator committee," with board oversight available on appeal. - The proposal reduces some earlier training thresholds but maintains a substantial training and assessment regimen. Initial training proposed by administration is 36 hours in total (24 hours live‑fire handling, 8 hours scenario‑based training and 4 hours of immediate lifesaving medical training such as hemorrhage control/“stop‑the‑bleed”). Recurrent training was proposed at 12 hours annually (8 hours live‑fire qualification and 4 hours scenario‑based training). - The district proposes psychological screening for applicants: a standardized personality assessment and a clinical assessment. The district would receive only a fitness-for‑duty outcome (suitable/unsuitable) rather than the applicant’s clinical history. - Firearms kept on site when not carried must be secured in district‑approved lockboxes that meet law enforcement standards and be under the carrier’s control; district‑issued or approved containers are required when the weapon cannot remain on the person.

Process and public input Administration said the policy and regulations will be posted for a 45‑day public comment period and that the district will schedule at least two public hearings. Final action on the concealed‑carry personnel policy is scheduled for a future meeting (the administration referenced a July date for final review). The district also cited the statutory reference used to frame the local rules: Wyoming State statute 21‑3‑137.

What trustees and staff said Deputy Superintendent Eisenhower and legal counsel outlined the statutory context and said the district intends to exceed the statute’s minimums to protect students’ health and safety. Eisenhower explained the district will consult local law enforcement on technical standards such as ammunition types and qualification thresholds. He also noted the administration wants to reduce the number of training hours previously required while maintaining robustness in testing and medical readiness training.

What the board adopted (votes and actions) - Policy 1500 (Prohibition on Open Carry): adopted, unanimous voice vote. - Policy 5500 (Prohibition on Student Carrying Firearms): adopted, unanimous voice vote. - Policy 4341 and companion regulations (Personnel Authorized to Carry Concealed Firearms): approved on first reading; public comment period and hearings to follow prior to final adoption.

Ending Administration will post the proposed personnel policy and its regulations, host public hearings, and return to the board with final recommended language and any edits prompted by public input and law enforcement review.