KEY TAKEAWAYS

Southern Utah schools started the year with armed guardians in every building.

Guardians are trained, anonymous volunteers, not teachers or principals, ensuring safety.

Washington County's program, praised for effectiveness, inspireed other Utah districts.

ST. GEORGE — As students in southern Utah returned to school on Monday morning, it marked a significant milestone: the first full academic year with armed guardians stationed in every school.

The initiative stems from a law passed by Utah legislators in 2024, requiring at least one armed guardian in every school building each day that students are in class. These guardians must be anonymous, trained and volunteer school employees who are not teachers or principals. Their primary role: to serve as a first line of defens

See Full Page