The Newton Falls Exempted Village School District has implemented a program that would allow trained staff members to legally carry a gun on school grounds.

According to a press release, the program was approved by the Newton Falls Board of Education at its December 2024 meeting and aims to provide an add an additional layer of protection for students in emergency situations.

The "Armed Staff Program" was the result of Ohio House Bill 99 and allows trained and qualified staff members to carry firearms on school grounds.

In order to qualify, staff must go through state mandated 24-hour training and annual eight-hour requalification, as well as 50 to 75 hours of additional annual training mandated by the school district.

That training includes live fire and scenario-based exercises, as well as de-escalation techniques, trauma care and active threat neutralization.

Those in the program must also go through annual background and criminal records checks.