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Public comment and board review as Sweetwater County SD2 moves to adopt concealed-carry policy in response to state law
Summary
Board trustees reviewed and gave first reading to a district policy (CKA) allowing staff and qualified volunteers to carry concealed firearms consistent with 2025 state law; a state representative urged the district to use Wyoming Department of Education training funds and to require biometric storage or prescribed holsters.
During the meeting, the board considered a new personnel policy (CKA) that would authorize certain employees and volunteers to carry concealed firearms on district property under parameters allowed by state law.
House Bill 0172 (Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act) was the legislative driver mentioned during public comment and board discussion. Representative Marlene Brady, speaking during public comment, thanked the board "for crafting a policy that attempts to honor the intent of HB0172" and urged trustees to use state Department of Education funds for training and storage. "Your policy requires employees to complete 16 hours of initial live fire training, 8 hours of scenario based training, 12 hours of annual recurrent training, and I wanted to make sure you know funding is available," Brady said, referencing Wyoming statute 21-3-136 and the Department of Education as a funding source for training.
Board members discussed technical and interpretive questions about the policy. One trustee asked whether wall-mounted lockboxes would meet the statute's requirements; during the dialogue staff clarified the legislation focuses on concealed carry rather than “guns on campus in a box.” Superintendent Behringer and policy authors said final language may be adjusted before the second and third readings after legal review. Dr. Foos noted the policy is a first reading that had been vetted by the Wyoming School Boards Association and legal counsel and that Chief Sterlingston of local law enforcement had offered to partner with the district to provide training.
The board took the matter up for a first reading and discussion; trustees indicated they would consider revisions based on legal guidance and community input before final adoption. Trustees also discussed insurance coverage and whether the district could add board members to any optional coverage the district pursues; staff said they were seeking a carrier and details were pending.
Representative Brady and trustees also addressed specifics the statute raises about storage and carry position. Brady recommended that the district require biometric containers rather than simple keyed lockboxes and require a prescribed holster and full concealment when weapons are carried on the person.
The board conducted a first reading and left policy CKA on the agenda for future action after the district receives legal guidance and community feedback; trustees encouraged members of the public and staff to submit comments to central office or to the board for consideration.
