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Tecumseh board approves resolution allowing selected volunteer staff to carry firearms on campus
Summary
On Jan. 7 the Tecumseh Local Board of Education voted 5-0 to authorize trained, volunteer staff to possess firearms in school safety zones under a board resolution that requires training, psychological screening, secure storage and annual background checks; the decision followed extensive public comment for and against the plan.
The Tecumseh Local Board of Education voted 5-0 on Jan. 7 to adopt a resolution authorizing certain volunteer administrators, teachers and support staff to possess firearms within district school safety zones if they meet statutory and district requirements.
The resolution, moved by Board Member Jon Stafford and seconded by Board President Sue Anne Martin, directs the superintendent to develop procedures that will limit participation to approved volunteers, require participation in a 24-hour training program through the Ohio School Safety Center (with additional district-specified training as needed), a psychological assessment, yearly background checks and a minimum of eight hours of recertification training. The resolution specifies that non‑SRO firearms must be secured in a locked safe and that the district will pay all training costs; it also requires the superintendent to submit a confidential list of authorized personnel to the Ohio School Safety and Crisis Center.
Why it matters: the vote formalizes a locally managed program to allow armed volunteers in schools under state law while placing requirements intended to standardize training, oversight and confidentiality. Supporters argued the policy provides an immediate, on-site protective option; opponents warned it risks school climate and staff safety, and urged more stakeholder input.
Community reaction was sharply divided during a lengthy public‑comment period before the vote. Public commenter Kerry Cassell urged the board to “postpone the approval of the board policy to arm your staff,” saying the plan felt rushed and would make many staff members feel unsafe. Greta Eber, a Tecumseh librarian who said she holds a concealed‑carry permit, told the board: “By arming your staff, you are asking educators to be prepared to take a life, potentially the life of a former or current student.” Teacher Liz Lawrence said the policy could worsen teacher retention in a district already experiencing turnover. By contrast, resident Sam George cited other districts’ volunteer models and said volunteers “know the buildings better than the staff members of the building” and can act quickly to stop a shooter.
The resolution cites Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.122(D)(1)(d) and Section 5502.703 and directs district policy alignment with TLSD policy number 3217. The board recorded the vote as Ayes: Stafford, Martin, Mills, Diller and Clark; Nays: none.
What the resolution requires and what remains unresolved: the board’s motion makes training, psychological screening and annual background checks prerequisites and bars routine daily carry by non‑SRO staff, instead requiring locked storage of firearms when on campus. The district will fund training and compensate approved employees for training hours at their regular pay rate. The superintendent must write implementing procedures, but the minutes show the board did not set an immediate timeline for when the program would accept volunteers or begin training.
Next steps: the board directed the superintendent to create the procedures and to submit the confidential list of authorized personnel to the Ohio School Safety and Crisis Center. The minutes note the list will not be disclosed as a public record. Any further changes to the program will require Board action or follow-up administrative procedures.
