CALEDONIA, Ohio (WSYX) - As school districts struggle with the increase in school shootings, there's a divide on how to keep schools safer. Under a new law passed last year, Ohio teachers can now carry guns in school under certain restrictions. And now a central Ohio school is arming its teachers.
River Valley Local School District believes with training allowing their teachers to carry guns will make their buildings safer.
It boils down to response time. The schools sit in a countryside community, and it's that ruralness causing concern for Superintendent Adam Wickham.
Last January, the district sent a letter to parents and staff, a resolution allowing teachers to carry guns. According to the letter, the superintendent says the schools will "no longer be soft targets," and "response times can often be minutes away."
There are deputies that cruise the school area, but the sheriff's office sits some 10 minutes away from the high school.
Grandparent Krista Schweinfurth says that is too far away when every second counts.
She worries whether a teacher would be able to pull the trigger. And worries about the post-traumatic stress involved.
And while the debate on teachers carrying guns divides communities, no one wants to see another school shooting.
"It scares me all of the time when you hear there's been a shooting, you pray it's not in a school," Schweinfurth said.
River Valley Local School District believes with training allowing their teachers to carry guns will make their buildings safer.
It boils down to response time. The schools sit in a countryside community, and it's that ruralness causing concern for Superintendent Adam Wickham.
Last January, the district sent a letter to parents and staff, a resolution allowing teachers to carry guns. According to the letter, the superintendent says the schools will "no longer be soft targets," and "response times can often be minutes away."
There are deputies that cruise the school area, but the sheriff's office sits some 10 minutes away from the high school.
Grandparent Krista Schweinfurth says that is too far away when every second counts.
"I think it's a good idea to carry a gun," Schweinfurth said. "I think it's a quicker response as long as they are trained. And everything I've read they will be very well trained. More so than what's required."
She worries whether a teacher would be able to pull the trigger. And worries about the post-traumatic stress involved.
And while the debate on teachers carrying guns divides communities, no one wants to see another school shooting.
"It scares me all of the time when you hear there's been a shooting, you pray it's not in a school," Schweinfurth said.
'No longer be soft targets': Ohio school allowing teachers to carry guns
Under a new law passed last year, Ohio teachers can now carry guns in school under certain restrictions.
ktul.com