Piedmont school board adopts resolution urging secure firearm storage and parent outreach

The Piedmont Unified School District board unanimously adopted a resolution urging parents to store firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition and directed the superintendent to add secure‑storage guidance to annual registration materials.

During the reading of the resolution, trustees cited national and state statistics about children’s access to unsecured firearms and the role of secure storage in prevention. Police Chief Jeremy Bowers told the board the practices are "common sense" and described local efforts, including gun‑violence restraining orders and online resources on the Piedmont Police Department website. Erin Dando, a gun‑violence‑prevention volunteer, urged continued public education and offered to present the Be SMART program to parents. "Please keep pushing this message out," she said.

Board President Lindsey Thomason read the resolution and invited community speakers; advocates from Brady and other groups offered to partner on outreach. The resolution directs the superintendent and staff to update the student handbook and to prepare an informational letter for parents explaining legal storage obligations and best practices. The board adopted the measure by roll call with recorded "Aye" votes from trustees Grace Rigo, Mira Sacks, Michael Malleone, Max Roman, Susie Struble, Ruchi Medeker and Lindsey Thomason.

The board said it will continue to collaborate with local law enforcement, health agencies and nonprofits to amplify the message and to include secure‑storage information in annual school registration materials.