The Minster Board of Education is holding a Community Forum on Monday, February 23 regarding the formation of an Armed Response Team. The information letter below was posted on social media.

Google AI Overview

Armed response teams, composed of trained staff or police, are increasingly being formed in U.S. school districts to proactively address threats, with at least 28 states allowing teachers to carry guns. These teams aim to reduce response times to violent incidents, utilizing specialized training and, in some cases, biometric safes to store weapons on campus. 

Key Aspects of Armed Response Teams in Schools:

  • Purpose: To provide immediate, on-site armed defense against intruders while waiting for law enforcement, thereby reducing the time between an incident and response.
  • Structure: Often composed of volunteer teachers, administrators, or staff, or in some cases, specialized school security officers.
  • Training & Requirements: Members often undergo rigorous training (sometimes similar to police, including high-stress drills and, in some areas, 40+ hours of training) and psychological screenings.
  • Legislation: Programs are often authorized by state-level legislation, such as in Indiana and Ohio, which provide avenues for school staff to carry guns.
  • Districts Involved: Examples include districts in Ohio (Mad, River, Bellbrook-Sugarcreek, West Carrollton) and Indiana, which have adopted these measures to improve safety.
  • Controversy: While some communities support these measures as a necessary safety layer, critics point to studies suggesting armed officers do not necessarily deter school shootings and may introduce new risks. 

Training and Safety Measures

  • Tactical Training: Members are trained in tactical movement and high-stress drills, often aiming for high accuracy in shooting.
  • Secure Storage: In some programs, guns are stored in biometric safes accessible only by authorized team members.
  • Comprehensive Approach: Many schools combining armed teams with other safety protocols, such as enhanced communication technology and visitor management systems. 

As of late 2025, nearly 100 Ohio school districts and private schools across 50 counties have authorized staff members to carry firearms on campus, a significant increase enabled by 2022’s House Bill 99

. These armed response teams are trained to intervene in active shooter situations, addressing potential delays in law enforcement arrival. 

Key Aspects of Ohio’s Armed School Staff Policy

  • Legal Framework (HB 99): Passed in 2022, this law allows districts to authorize staff to carry guns, reducing the required training from over 700 hours to a minimum of 24 hours of initial training, plus 8 hours of annual requalification.
  • Implementation & Training: Participating districts must register with the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC). Teams often undergo specialized, intensive training (e.g., in Columbus or via sheriff’s offices).
  • Districts Involved: While 97+ schools have approved armed staff, this represents a small fraction of Ohio’s 600+ public districts, with many, but not all, in rural areas. Examples include Benjamin Logan Local Schools, Mad River Local Schools, and various districts in the Miami Valley.