One would think that if they were smart enough to handle a firearm and make shoot / no shoot decisions they would have become police officers and not janitors.

And certainly gardeners and crossing guards.

Lunch ladies and diagnosticians should not be overlooked.

The guys that do the plant maint. stuff can pack.

I´ll take a well armed plumber anytime.

It´s not a bad idea. After all, the janitors know their schools inside and out.

And those here who are putting down these people for working hard at what they do, should be ashamed of yourselves.

I think this is an excellent idea. The goal here is to take the uncertainty from the "gun free zones" so the attackers will not know what to expect. Any teacher that has a concealed carry permit should also be allowed to protect themselves in the "gun free zones" as well. We would see an immediate end to this crazyness.

...Or would you rather have police hired by the Gov´t... paid for by the Gov´t....which is more Gov´t. To me, finding existing resources within the school, like janitors, and non liberal teachers, who can clear the background check volunteer. Train them and give them the responsibility as the first line of defense. Think about it, people

If the janitors are going to be armed...

I personally would not be caught dead insulting them.

Also they might command more respect whilst telling a student to "clean out your locker"...
or else...

Janitors could also double up as starters for track meets, such as foot races.
Gives new meaning to the 100 yard dash.

This would run counter to Newt´s plan...
which was to fire the janitors and give those jobs to the chillrun.
Not gunna happen, Newtie.

Excellent decision. The key word in this article is "trained." And no self-respecting bad guy will attempt armed mischief in this school.

Good. TAKING OUT THE TRASH

Let´s see you pick up that paper you just discarded in the hall, son.

I support their program to have trained and armed personnel in the school. However, announcing to the World at large who is "packing" is downright stupid. The "armed" personnel should be known to each other, the Principal, and the local law enforcement....

A local gun training company is holding two different classes for teachers/staff. FREE. It goes above and beyond Concealed Carry requirements with interactive scenario range time, one of the instructors is the regional SWAT trainer. Another is an Attorney with combat experience both from the military and Law Enforcement ends. My "friends" school is sending three teachers, the schools owner and ME.(I am there a lot doing odd jobs and telling Pirate stories) There will be three guns in different locations around the school in biometric lock-boxes accessible only to those who have been trained and whose fingerprints are encoded into the boxes. The instructors will film scenarios inside the school with actors in the actual areas...edit them into a projection screen/laser gun practice program. Continuing training will be required and a wage stipend added...the same as if the teacher were multilingual, CPR or First aid trained. Not every teacher/Staff member is well suited for this..but in EVERY school some are, or can be hired. I know of several Iraq/Afghan combat veterans who would take a custodian job TOMORROW as they have been um-employed since their discharge. This too is in Ohio.

I disagree with locking up weapons. Any person (janitor, principal, teacher, etc.) if given permission to have his/her gun in the school, ought to be required to pack concealed (no open carry) on their person, not put in a lock box. Goes without saying that they must have a state issued carry permit, which means background check and training have been done. I might even require annual re=qualification like most cops get, as a minimum. If a perp starts shooting and the teacher or whoever is not near his "lock box", what has been gained? Also, no one except the principal, to whom teachers and staff usually answer, should know who is carrying....and especially not students, although rumors will abound because people will talk. Finally, place prominent signs at the school´s entrance proclaiming: "Warning: school employees at thie school are armed" That alone might turn away a nut job wanting to kill lots of people. To them, it´s all about making a statement.

Put me down in the "Agree" column for this one.

In this particular school the ages run from kids in cribs through Kindergarten, meaning kids get carried around a lot(hip holsters might be more of a risk than the REALLY rare chance of an armed attack), the school has three basic wings, two teachers per classroom and bypass hallways that allow those "in the know" to move to nearly any part of the school and cover hallways from cover while kids can still be corralled and locked in behind solid doors. The "Defense Plan" is being worked out by professionals with a signoff by the Insurance Company so that Rates don´t skyrocket.