Natrona County School District board adopts concealed-carry policy for staff and volunteers, 6-3

The Natrona County School District Board of Trustees voted 6-3 to adopt Rule/Policy 40-20, a concealed-carry policy that establishes training and qualification standards for district employees and volunteers who seek permission to carry firearms on school property.

Trustee Citelli, chair of the board policy committee, said the committee held 45 days of public comment, solicited expert input from security and law-enforcement personnel and revised the draft to remove provisions that were not feasible. The motion to adopt the policy reflected those committee recommendations.

The adopted policy retains several specific training and qualification elements identified by law enforcement and security advisers. Committee members removed a requirement tied to completion of the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy close-range pistol proficiency course after determining civilians cannot take that course. The policy clarifies handgun training will include familiarization and live fire, allows scenario-based and medical training, and permits prior relevant training to count toward the required hours.

Opponents warned the board that the version presented to the public and the version posted before the vote contained substantive differences. Public commenter Renee Redding told trustees the publicly circulated draft differed from the version presented for adoption and said the district should not pass the new policy without further public review. Other speakers and trustees raised concerns the process was rushed to meet a July 1 effective date and that the rules place unclear financial and administrative burdens on employees and the district’s human-resources staff.

Supporters said the policy represents the most responsible option available under state law. Several trustees and committee members said the Legislature required repeal of gun-free zones and provided only minimum training requirements; the committee elected to adopt standards above the state minimums after consultation with law enforcement. Supporters described the policy as intended to limit who among staff and volunteers may carry and to ensure those who do receive substantive training.

Trustees debated whether the policy should explicitly list the state reimbursement mechanism for training costs. Multiple trustees said the Legislature had established funding to help with training but the board declined to include detailed reimbursement language in the policy; that decision drew criticism from some trustees and commenters who wanted clearer, upfront financial protections for staff.

Motion and vote details: the board adopted Rule/Policy 40-20 by a 6-3 vote. The record notes several trustees and members of the public urged additional time for review and clearer language on reimbursement, discipline standards and implementation. The policy committee made targeted edits before the motion, and the board removed a provision relating to a law-enforcement academy qualification after committee review and legal counsel advice.

The policy will be implemented through district human resources and school administration processes; trustees asked staff to develop procedures and communication materials for employees and families.