‘Added layer of school safety;’ Armed response team approved for Mad River Local Schools

RIVERSIDE — The Ohio School Safety Center approved the armed response team for Mad River Local Schools on Thursday.

There are 20-plus staff members in buildings throughout the district trained to respond to emergency situations.

>> Report: Police investigating racial incident involving students at Springfield elementary school

Each team member had to meet specific qualifications, pass an evaluation, and take multiple training courses with first responders.

“Every single member of that team has a PATA private security firearms certificate,” said Chad Wyen, Superintendent of Mad River Local Schools.

Guns are locked and secured; team members have quick access to them if needed and do not wear them all day.

“It is a mindset. It’s not for everybody, but the staff members that are part of our team, have the mindset that they are there to protect our students, our staff and our families and our buildings,” said Wyen.

>> I-TEAM: County recorders given option to not file ‘fraudulent’ liens from companies like MV Realty

There are staff members in the district who would like to join the team.

“If they meet the qualifications, then we’ll go ahead and get them trained and then allow them to be part of our team,” said Wyen

News Center 7′s Kayla McDermott spoke with Wyen, on Tuesday on why he thinks this will help better protect students.

“Parents are very thankful that we have this in place. In light of the number of mass shootings that have occurred recently, our students and our staff feel much more comfortable that we have this in place,” said Wyen. “It is something that works for us, and that our local schools as an added layer of school safety.”

The program will cost the district less than $10,000 a year to run.

©2023 Cox Media Group