Local school district wins court battle, will allow arming teachers, personnel

MADISON, Ohio (WKRC) - A Butler County school district wins a court battle that could have national implications in the debate on arming teachers. A judge ruled in favor of Madison School District's policy that allows for staff to carry a gun. At Madison High School in 2016, a school shooter opened fire. The 14 year old student started shooting in the cafeteria and wounded four people. Now, almost 3 years later, in an effort to stop that violence, a few staff members can carry their own gun after a legal attempt to stop it was defeated. "They came in and went up against local attorneys and got spanked." Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said. Sheriff Jones is referring to the national organization Everytown for Gun Safety. Columbus-based attorney Rachel Bloomekatz is co-counsel for that group and represents five Madison parents who filed the lawsuit. She said the biggest issue is how little training staff members are getting to carry a gun around children. Madison District policy requires only 27 hours. "It's really a weekend, one weekend crash course what you need to carry a gun all day, every day in a lunch room around kids?" Bloomekatz said. "Our parents don't think so," Butler County Judge Charles Pater ruled the school district is doing what state law requires. They don't have to train staff as security personnel, which would be 700 hours of work. In court, it was revealed that in June, two teachers and one administrator went through the training. A lawyer for the school tells Local 12 that personnel are not required to carry a weapon but can whenever they want. District policy allows for up to 10 staff members to get training. It’s being done through the FASTER program that’s connected to the Buckeye Firearms Association. Sheriff Jones says those in Madison who got the training were selected. "We at the Sheriff's office worked with the school district," Sheriff Jones said. "And we don't just pick someone that raises their hand, a teacher or personnel. These are people that are handpicked and have knowledge of weapons." Sheriff Jones added that this win could mean more districts here and across the nation will take steps to arm it's staff. The attorney who represents the five Madison parents says they're considering all options. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has said it's clear teachers should have more than concealed carry training before bringing guns into schools.