Board approves policies restricting open carry and student concealed carry

The Campbell County School District #1 Board of Trustees approved two policies on a voice vote that prohibit open carry and prohibit students from concealed carrying firearms on district property.

"There has been a motion and a second to approve these 2 policies, 1,500 prohibition of firearm open carrying policy 5,500 per prohibition of student carrying a firearm," the board chair said before the vote. After the vote the chair announced, "Policy carries." No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript; the vote was taken by voice.

Board member (Mister) Eisner introduced the policies as the second reading and asked the trustees to adopt them. Eisner said the changes align the district with the current statute and asked for approval. He also referenced a separate policy, 43-41, that is out for the required 45-day review and proposed two public hearings: June 10 (first hearing) and June 25 (second hearing), with final approval proposed for July 16.

Trustees discussed staff reaction and implementation. Board members reported limited staff comments to date but said the district has met with local law enforcement to discuss training and operational details. "We did have a really good meeting with our police chief and then representatives from the sheriff's office," Eisner said, adding that the district will seek their input on training. Board members also acknowledged staff concerns about how carry rules could affect high-tension proceedings such as expulsions and said principals will brief staff before fall.

The board did not adopt policy 43-41 at the meeting; Eisner proposed the hearing schedule and the board signaled support to hold the hearings as proposed.