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SAFE OHIO
SCHOOLS TOOLKIT

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Building Safe Ohio Schools Without Arming School Personnel

STEP 1: LEARN THE FACTS

Gun Violence and School Safety Information

Learn the facts about gun violence in schools and the dangers and risks of arming school personnel.

STEP 2: BUILD A SAFETY POLICY

Best Practices to Prevent Gun Violence

Work with your district, families, and community partners to build  practical and sustainable safe school policies using the evidence-based gun violence prevention measures below:

  1. Establish safe and equitable schools that prioritize and support emotional and behavioral health

  2. Launch public awareness campaigns about responsible firearm storage

  3. Raise awareness of and effectively utilize Extreme Risk Protection Orders/Red Flag law

  4. Develop and implement an evidence-based threat assessment program

  5. Implement physical security upgrades to prevent access to schools and classrooms

  6. Begin advance planning for emergencies so administrators and staff can immediately lockdown schools and law enforcement can respond quickly

 

Resources

STEP 3: PASS A RESOLUTION

Safe Ohio Schools Resolution

Use the resolution templates below to draft your district’s resolution. Customize the verbiage to reflect the unique needs, priorities, and safety concerns of your district and community.

 

General Resolution Template  HERE

Secure Storage Resolution Template  HERE

 

Sample Resolutions:

  • Toledo City Schools Resolution HERE | HERE

  • Berea City School District  HERE

STEP 4: SHARE YOUR WORK

Share Your Safe Ohio Schools Resolution & Policy 

After passing your resolution, share the information with your district, community, and media. 

  • Send a districtwide email sharing the resolution and policy

  • Send a press release to media – Press Release Template HERE

 

Establish a regular notification policy to share your district’s Safe Ohio Schools policy with your families and district. Utilize the best practices noted below.

 

Best Practices for Regular Notification to District:

  • BE TRANSPARENT AND CONSISTENT

  • Publish your policy on your district’s website

  • Publish your policy in your district’s Annual Student Handbook 

  • Require a parent/legal guardian signature acknowledging receipt and understanding of policy at the beginning of each school year

  • Clearly communicate any changes or updates to your district policy on your district website, districtwide emails, and social media

Alternatives to Passing a Resolution

For districts resistant to passing resolutions or establishing policies, use the options below:

  • Send a districtwide email with a statement opposing arming school personnel in your district

  • Send press release urging passage of resolution or policy in your district - Template HERE

  • Take the Safe Ohio Schools Pledge demonstrating your commitment - Pledge HERE

  • Submit Letters to the Editor and/or Op-Eds explaining your position about arming school personnel in your district

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The Safe Ohio Schools Toolkit is a collaborative effort amongst diverse education stakeholders across Ohio working to prevent gun violence in schools by prioritizing the physical and emotional safety of students, educators, staff, and families.  The information, best practices, and resources provided are grounded in evidence-based research, data, and practices.

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Safe Ohio Schools partners include Honesty for Ohio Education, Moms Demand Action Ohio, Ohio Education Association, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio PTA, Children’s Defense Fund Ohio, Ohio Conference of Branches of NAACP, and League of Women Voters Ohio.

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