The majority of Wyoming schools are not planning to implement the 2017 Original House Bill NO. 194, “School Safety and Security” Act which allows possession of firearms by school district employees on school property.
HB194; authorizes local school boards to approve employees of their school district to carry firearms on school district property, subject to specific requirements and regulations. For background on this issue, read our post from October 30.
Please attend the School District 6 work session on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 5:30. It would be great for folks to show up, especially now that we know few other districts are acting on this bill.
A survey was done by the Education Committee of Wyoming Rising–Northwest through telephone calls to 47 district superintendents and business managers in the interest of finding out where other school districts in the state of Wyoming are in implementing HB194. Each Wyoming School was asked the following question: “This is (name of caller) calling from Cody where our local school board is currently considering the implementation of HB 194, Armed Security in School. Would you please tell me where your district is in the implementation of this bill or if you are considering implementing it”.
The results of the survey speak for itself, only 5 districts out of 48, including Park 6 – Cody, are considering implementing HB194. Those districts who are considering it are doing so with caution, others are doing so with a wait and see attitude, but most are not pursuing any action at all, instead they are utilizing money provided to increase security of their schools.
Summary of 48 Wyoming School Districts:
38 districts not implementing or considering implementing HB 194
5 districts considering HB 194
1 district has HB 194 on agenda
2 Districts may discuss HB 194
2 districts did not respond to calls. Ft. Washakie & Arapahoe, are not considering HB 194 according to WDE survey
Following is a list of contacts made with responses from each* :
- Albany County School District #1 – Laramie, Wyoming
Not planning on implementing HB 194. They have resource officer in all schools. - Big Horn County School District #1 – Cowley, Wyoming
HB 194 not on an agenda at this time. - Big Horn County School District #2 – Lovell, Wyoming
HB 194 not on radar at this time. They have a full time resource officer serving 2 schools. - Big Horn County School District #3 – Greybull, Wyoming
No intention to implement HB 194. Increasing the security of their schools. - Big Horn County School District #4 – Basin, Wyoming
HB 194 briefly discussed. Resource officer in school. - Campbell County School District #1 – Gillette, Wyoming
Preliminary discussion of HB 194, but have not gone forward. Resource officer in all buildings except for 3 rural schools. - Carbon County School District #1 – Rawlins, Wyoming
No response to several messages left. - Carbon County School District #2 – Saratoga, Wyoming
Talked about HB 194 but not pursuing it. - Converse County School District #1 – Douglas, Wyoming
HB 194 has not come before the board and not looking at it. - Converse County School District #2 – Glenrock, Wyoming
Not implementing HB 194. - Crook County School District #1 – Sundance, Wyoming
HB 194 has not come up. - Fremont County School District #1 – Lander, Wyoming
HB 194 on agenda for meeting 11/3/17. - Fremont County School District #2 – Dubois, Wyoming
HB 194 discussed at board retreat and decided not to implement it. - Fremont County School District #6 – Pavillion, Wyoming
HB 194 hasn’t come up for discussion. - Fremont County School District #14 – Ethete, Wyoming
Board discussed HB 194 but chose not to pursue it. - Fremont County School District #24 – Shoshoni, Wyoming
Not opposed to statute but, as long as there is a police department in the community, they don’t feel the need to pursue it. However, they will look at the recommendations from WDE. The Board is being very cautious. - Fremont County School District #25 – Riverton, Wyoming
Have not formally discussed HB 194. At some time they may consider it, but are not ready to move forward at this time. - Fremont County School District #38 – Arapahoe, Wyoming
We did not get a call back, but according to the WDE survey, they are not considering HB 194. - Goshen County School District #1 – Torrington, Wyoming
HB 194 is not a priority at this time. The Board has received information from the WDE but do not feel the need to discuss it at this time. - Hot Springs County School District #1 – Thermopolis, Wyoming
Not considering implementing HB 194. - Johnson County School District #1 – Buffalo, Wyoming
Have not discussed HB 194 and are not considering it. - Laramie County School District #1 – Cheyenne, Wyoming
The Board has discussed HB 194, however, they want to arm resource officers, not staff. The Board didn’t have an issue for small, rural areas having firearms. The Superintendent said, “If schools aren’t safe, why not bring in professionals; taking a safety course is not enough”. - Laramie County School District #2 – Pine Bluffs, Wyoming
Have not discussed HB 194. Board is split so they may eventually discuss it. - Lincoln County School District #1 – Kemmerer, Wyoming
The Board has no intention of implementing armed security in schools at this time. - Lincoln County School District #2 – Afton, Wyoming
The Board discussed HB 194 in June and then had a panel of safety personnel present what the law said. The Board is considering it and has a committee that will report back in December with policy and procedure information is they decide to go forward. Their lawyer (Tracy Copenhaver) is directing the committee. They will have to change insurance (Zurich) if they implement a firearms policy. - Natrona County School District #1 – Casper, Wyoming
Not considering it. - Niobrara County School District #1 – Lusk, Wyoming
Haven’t considered HB 194 as no funding attached to it. They are looking into additional security in their schools. - Park County School District #1 – Powell, Wyoming
Tracy Copenhaver has a model policy for the Board to review. The Superintendent, who was in Meteetsee last year, said he still believes armed security is needed there but not necessary in Powell due to quick police and Sherriff departments response. - Park County School District #6 – Cody, Wyoming
Considering. - Park County School District #16 – Meeteetse, Wyoming
Firearms in school not being considered. The focus is on other safety items to secure the school. - Platte County School District #1 – Wheatland, Chugwater, Glendo, Wyoming
Not considering implementing HB 194. The Superintendent said the Wyoming Superintendent Association has been fighting against this for several years and would like to see it done away with. - Platte County School District #2 – Guernsey, Wyoming
Not considering HB 194. Focus on making their buildings and classrooms more secure. - Sheridan County School District #1 – Ranchester, Wyoming
Have discussed but are not looking to implement HB 194. Working to make buildings and classrooms more secure. - Sheridan County School District #2 – Sheridan, Wyoming
Not considering implementing HB 194. - Sheridan County School District #3 – Clearmont, Wyoming
Not considering implementing HB 194. - Sublette County School District #1 – Pinedale, Wyoming
Not considering HB 194. - Sublette County School District #9 – Big Piney, Wyoming
Board informed but not considering HB 194. - Sweetwater County School District #1 – Rock Springs, Wyoming
Not considering HB 194. - Sweetwater County School District #2 – Green River, Wyoming
HB 194 not brought forward and not considering it. - Teton County School District #1 – Jackson, Wyoming
After board debate, decided not to consider HB 194. - Uinta County School District #1 – Evanston, Wyoming
Considering developing a policy after staff survey (will not proceed if no one wants to do it); all board members in favor of first focusing on building security. Superintendent mentioned major maintenance funds for security assessments and improvements to buildings regarding security. - Uinta County School District #4 – Mountain View, Wyoming
Not going to consider HB 194. - Uinta County School District #6 – Lyman, Wyoming
Not going to consider HB 194. - Washakie County School District #1 – Worland, Wyoming
Not going to consider HB 194. - Washakie County School District #2 – Ten Sleep, Wyoming
Board currently considering HB 194. - Weston County School District #1 – Newcastle, Wyoming
Not going to consider HB 194. - Weston County School District #7 – Upton, Wyoming
Not considering HB 194.
*Other districts did not respond to our calls