SUGARCREEK (WJER) - Tuscarawas County’s sheriff is ready to offer support to Garaway following their decision to start arming teachers. 

The district school board passed a resolution Monday to allow arming staff members who must first go through extensive training. Sheriff Orvis Campbell says districts that make decisions like this are in a tough position.

“None of them really want to arm staff, but I think they take the security of their facilities and definitely the safety of the students very much to heart,” he says.

Campbell says he did not offer a recommendation to the board, but his office will help in any way possible, just like it does with other districts.

“I do a firearms…. training with some of these school officials, giving them continued tips and scenario-based training right in their school building so they can think about if something were to happen in the building, where are the likely areas and how would they respond, and if they respond that way, what are some of the dangers that they need to be aware of,” he says.

Superintendent Jim Millet says there’s going to be a very detailed selection process for those who will carry.

“There’s a strict authorization policy, very stringent training requirements that go along with that and even mental health conditions that are a component of it, but we believe it’s one more added piece to our safety plan that’s going to provide additional safety for our students and staff,” he says.   

He says this is something that has been under consideration for years, and the decision seems to be popular.

“The reaction has been extremely positive, and I think that’s first and foremost because our community knows how much we love our kids and that we’ll do anything to protect them and our staff that’s in our buildings, too,” he says. 

Indian Valley, Newcomerstown and Tusky Valley are the other districts in the county with policies to arm staff members.   

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