Natrona County trustees debate details of state-backed policy allowing staff to carry concealed firearms

Trustees for Natrona County School District #1 discussed the district’s draft policy implementing a state law that allows staff and volunteers to carry concealed firearms on school property, focusing on training, funding and eligibility requirements.

The discussion matters because the legislature authorized local policy changes that give employees the option to carry concealed firearms in schools, but left several operational details to districts. Trustees and staff weighed how the district will implement training, who will pay for it and what checks the district may legally require.

Trustee Schmidt said the decision of whether an employee meets the law’s requirements will be a human resources responsibility at the district level and emphasized, “we're not requiring employees to carry concealed weapons… We are allowing it.” Schmidt also told the room that, under the draft as written, staff or volunteers would pay for required training and that a fund established in February 2017 — which he described as initially about $500,000 and “down to 480” — can be accessed only through the district and is not currently written into the draft policy as a reimbursement mechanism.

Schmidt raised other operational questions: the draft does not require a mental-health evaluation and the statute does not authorize the district to require one, he said. “We are not allowed to do any kind of psychological testing,” Superintendent Hensley confirmed, noting the board can determine training requirements and who may provide that training but cannot impose additional screening the statute does not permit.

Trustees and speakers also flagged that the draft does not recognize prior law-enforcement or military service as satisfying the statute’s training requirements. “If you were a current police officer… you now have to go and do all of these requirements,” Schmidt said, calling that a policy flaw to be addressed before a final vote.

Several trustees urged caution and more time for revisions. Trustee (unnamed) asked that the board take the time necessary to adjust the draft even if it delays final action; “I really do hope that we take the time necessary and that we find the ability to make the changes no matter how long the process takes,” she said.

Superintendent Hensley said staff will work with applicants and qualified trainers to determine how existing training is credited, and reiterated legal limits on what the district may require. Hensley also reminded trustees that reimbursement language need not be in board policy because some requirements are set by statute.

No formal policy adoption or change to the draft was recorded at the meeting. Trustees said they expect more policy meetings and additional public input before a final vote.

Questions remaining after the meeting included whether the district will incorporate the state reimbursement fund into local procedures, how to credit prior training for police or military personnel, and whether the district can reasonably document compliance while protecting staff privacy. Trustees noted parents who object may be offered alternatives created by the legislature, such as education savings accounts.

The board directed staff to continue drafting and to return with revisions for further consideration. The board did not take a final vote on a carrying policy during this session.