In light of increasing concerns about school safety, the Parma City School District has adopted a new policy to enhance security measures within its schools.
Dr. Charles Smialek, Superintendent of Parma City Schools, explained the district’s decision. “In the face of potential tragedies, having a quicker response capability seemed essential,” Smialek said. The district has now implemented a policy under House Bill 99, utilizing it as an additional security measure.
Currently, the district has three armed staff members as part of its security team, along with three school resource officers. Although the law mandates a minimum of 24 hours of training for staff carrying firearms, Parma requires twice that amount to ensure comprehensive preparedness. To date, there have been no reported incidents involving students accessing these firearms.
Smialek emphasized that the policy targets specific staff members rather than a broad implementation. “We do not plan to arm teachers or other non-security staff members,” he stated.
Data from the K-12 School Shooting Database shows that Ohio, along with Texas, ranks among the top states for recent gun violence incidents in schools. Smialek anticipates that more districts will consider additional security measures, though widespread arming of teachers remains unlikely.
