Springboro parents mixed on guns in schools

SPRINGBORO, Ohio (WDTN) - Springboro residents packed the district school board meeting Thursday night.  The topic:  packing heat inside school buildings.

Ohio law states that teachers and staff are allowed to carry guns on school grounds with the school board's approval.

Springboro School Board Member Jim Rigano first proposed the idea.  He led the discussion in front of a packed house.

This comes on the heels of another school shooting in California Thursday and last month's massacre at a Connecticut elementary school where 26 people were killed by guns.

There's only one security guard for the six schools in the district and he believes that's not enough.

"I think it's a deterrent.  Right now, the schools are, the gun-free school zone and the sign on the windows that say guns not allowed are turning out ot be an invitation to a would-be assassin," said Rigano.

Some parents believe guns would help make their children safer in school.

"If someone on the grounds has a gun compared to calling 911.  The incident if it does happen won't be nearly as big," said Wendy Majeski/

Others feel guns in schools could lead to more problems.

"If they miss their target and small child happens to be trying to get away from the situation and they get hit, that teacher will not be able to live it down.  It's just not a good thing," said James Eldridge.

The school board referred the gun issue to a policy committee for further discussion.

Springboro met on the same night that Springfield City Schools discussed a million dollars in security upgrades in its district.