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Parent asks whether district will track armed visitors as state law expands concealed carry
Summary
At Sheridan County School District #3’s board meeting, a resident voiced support for staff training on carrying firearms and asked whether the district would require parents who carry on campus to check in; district staff said state law prevents restricting or requiring disclosure from parents.
A resident urged Sheridan County School District #3 trustees to support staff members who volunteer for firearms training and asked whether the district would require parents who choose to carry on campus to register or check in.
The request came during the meeting’s public-comment period, when a speaker identified as Jeff thanked the board for considering certification for teachers and staff to be armed and asked whether the district planned to require any communication or a check-in from parents who choose to carry on campus.
District staff, speaking from the dais, responded that state legislation enacted earlier in the spring permits concealed carry more broadly and limits what local boards can require. The staff member said the district’s rules can govern how employees carry but that the law prevents the district from requiring parents who carry on campus to disclose that fact. The speaker added the district could provide a voluntary sign-in sheet but could not compel parents to use it.
Why it matters: Trustees are reviewing district policies and procedures—staff training and campus safety measures—while state law sets a boundary on what local districts can impose on parents and visitors.
The exchange included these key points: - The public commenter expressed "sincere support and appreciation" for any teacher or staff member willing to be trained and armed and asked about possible communication with parents who carry. (Public comment) - A district staff member said recent state legislation "opens the door to concealed carry by everybody," that the board can adopt rules for employee carry but cannot require parents to disclose or be screened, and that the district could offer a voluntary sign-in sheet. (Staff response)
No board action to change visitation or notification rules was taken at the meeting; the item was discussed as part of broader policy review.
Ending note: Trustees said they value community input on safety and would continue policy review as they update their handbook and related rules before the next school year.
