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Butler County sheriff, Hamilton schools at odds over arming teachers, staff

152 views · Published 27 August 2018 · 2:18 · Indexed 26 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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HAMILTON, Ohio (WKRC) - Hamilton school teachers won't be asked whether they want to carry guns in the classroom.

School board members say it's possible some qualified school staff could be armed if a safety levy fails in the fall, and all of this has raised the ire of Butler County's outspoken sheriff.

"I believe at this point, the schools aren't as safe as they should be," said Sheriff Richard K. Jones.

Jones isn't happy Hamilton won't arm properly-trained teachers and staff. He recalls the school shooting in Madison Township nearly three years ago.

"I was there in the school cafeteria afterwards, and it's a scene that I never want to see again," he said.

Jones says he had an agreement with Hamilton's superintendent of schools that metal detector wands would be used and a few teachers and other staff could be armed. He even launched a billboard campaign urging it.

After outcry from some parents, Jones said the school board nixed the deal.

"They just don't want do anything controversial, and metal detectors is controversial, I suppose, and I suppose arming teachers is controversial and they're scared of the pressure from the public," Jones said.

But Hamilton school superintendent Larry Knapp says there was never a deal.

"I had had a conversation with Sheriff Jones to that end, talking about the board was considering all of that but that the Board of Education had the final decision-making authority to do that," Knapp said.

Tuesday night, the school board decided unanimously teachers won't be armed. Knapp says Hamilton wants to add more school resource officers since some schools don't have one. And some school staff with law enforcement or military backgrounds could carry guns if a 10-year safety levy fails.

"The reality of the situation is, if the levy passes, that could negate the need for any armed personnel in the district," Knapp said.

The levy is the next battle in the heated debate over school safety.

"I will not support this giant money grab from the school boards at all, period," Jones said.

Five school districts in Butler County are part of that 10-year school safety levy. Those include Hamilton ,Fairfield and Edgewood. Others have opted out.

Madison Township's school board approved a plan to arm some trained staff or teachers earlier this summer. Edgewood City Schools in Trenton also allows some staff to be armed.

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