Here is your opportunity to be part of an effort by the League of Women Voters of Ohio to establish a position on arming school personnel. The study covers the risk of harm to students, school personnel and communities; mishandling of firearms; training; cost; accountability; and liability. Legislative bills have already been before the Ohio General Assembly, and media articles have been appearing with more frequency on this issue. Having a position will allow Leagues to speak on the many facets of the issue at both the state and local levels.
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STUDY & CONSENSUS
- A study is a League process to prepare for a consensus meeting by the members of the League of Women Voters of Kent. Leagues across Ohio will be participating in the same study and consensus.
- Once a League has studied a topic, the membership meets to discuss and come to consensus on a set of questions that will become a "position," a set of principles on which a League can take action on national, state or local levels. This study applies to the state and local levels.
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The Arming School Personnel Study (ASPS) Committee has organized the Kent study with a series of surveys accompanied by research that will be rolled out in this email communication every other Sunday from now until March 14. (All of the research and links to the surveys are now also available on this website page.) The committee will use the survey results to guide the consensus meeting discussions.
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The consensus meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2021, 7 p.m., online. Information to attend the Zoom meeting will be provided in upcoming communications.
- All responses are anonymous.
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AN ONLINE STUDY EXPERIENCE
How will you prepare for the March 18 meeting? At the meeting, we will discuss the five topics listed here and attempt to come to consensus. The topics are as follows:
1. Decision Making
2. Cost and Liability
3. Armed Personnel, Checks and Training
4. Storage
5. Perceptions of Safety
To facilitate discussions and allow us to cover lots of information in the March 18 session, the committee will be sending out, via our email newsletter, materials to help you prepare, beginning with the list below that will introduce the topic of arming school personnel. Click on the titles below to view the materials:
Further down in this email is the first set of questions with links to research and the first of five surveys. Yes, you will be digging deep into this topic with all of the work that the committee has compiled! We appreciate your participation!
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WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED
Good news! If you miss one week, you'll have access to the surveys and resources through each of these email communications. In addition, all of the information/surveys is now on our website and we'll be sending links and reminders in our newsletters.
Need the materials printed? Request paper copies of the materials or, if you have questions, contact: Debbie Barber, ASPS Committee Chair. She can be reached at 330-221-1205 or dbarber@kent.edu.
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ABOUT SURVEY MONKEY
Please note that the survey monkey response does not constitute a vote nor does it contribute to the real time consensus meeting process. It will be used as a tool to help the committee conduct the consensus meeting. Your voice at the meeting makes all the difference in a meaningful and powerful result.