Hamilton’s meeting Thursday also included some heated criticisms directed toward the district leadership agreeing earlier this week to arm some school staffers in the coming school year.
A number of residents criticized district officials for agreeing this week with plans by Hamilton City Police and Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones to arm some school staffers.
On Monday, Jones unveiled a billboard in downtown Hamilton blasting Hamilton school officials for allegedly being lax in upgrading school security.
But Wednesday the Journal-News was the first to report that Hamilton school district officials have agreed to allow some school staffers who volunteer — and are properly trained and certified — to have access to a firearm while working in the city schools.
“School was my safe place, not because somebody had a gun,” said resident Tammy Schwartz.
“When we continue to focus on guns, we are focusing on symptoms,” said Schwartz, who encouraged the board to instead expand mental health services to students.
Fellow resident Abby Ison said, “I don’t want you (board) to be blackmailed or intimidated by billboards.”
“I’m angry. He (Jones) overstepped his bounds again,” she said.
Staff writer Michael D. Clark contributed to this report.
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