Board reviews draft firearms policy tying on-campus carry to Jefferson County reserve training

The West Jefferson District school board discussed a draft firearms‑authorization policy that would allow certain district employees to carry firearms on school property if they meet specified conditions, including a recommendation from the superintendent and active reserve‑deputy certification through the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Staff said the draft was developed with input from the sheriff’s office and the district safety committee and includes requirements for ongoing training (active shooter response, tactical medical and use‑of‑force protocols) and background checks. Board members raised several procedural and legal questions: whether authorization revocation should require written notice instead of verbal notice, what "failure to maintain active reserve duty status" would mean in practice, and whether an employee could opt to be a reserve deputy but decline to carry on campus. Board members emphasized that the draft policy states "no employee should be required to carry a firearm on school district property." Staff said the policy will go next to legal counsel and the district’s insurance provider for review.

Board direction and next steps: Staff will revise wording (remove ambiguous provisions such as immediate verbal revocation), circulate the draft to legal counsel and the insurance carrier, and continue coordination with Captain Johnson of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The board left the item in discussion and did not take formal action at the meeting.