Armed Guards in Saucon Schools Opposed by Resident

In a recent letter to the editor, Hellertown resident Dennis Scholl said he opposes a Saucon Valley School District proposal to consider hiring an armed security officer.

POLL: Should Saucon Hire an Armed Guard?

In the wake of recent school shootings, should the Saucon Valley School District hire an armed officer to help keep students safe?

Further reading: Let Teachers Carry Guns, Say 2 Pa. Lawmakers Armed Guard in Schools is a Bad Idea [Letter] NRA Says Saucon Valley School Should Have Armed Guards NRA: Put Armed Security in Every School Now

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

Letters to the Editor

Armed Guard in Schools is a Bad Idea [Letter]

Hellertown resident Dennis Scholl says he opposes a Saucon Valley School District proposal to spend more than $125,000 on hiring an armed officer as a school security measure.

To the Editor, I read today ("Saucon Valley to Consider Placing Armed Officer on Campus," The Morning Call, Feb. 13, 2013) that Saucon Valley School District is contemplating the addition of an armed guard at its Polk Valley Road campus. The officer would cost the district $126,000, according to school board member, Ralph Puerta. An additional $3,100 would be required to install a new lock system and surveillance cameras at school entrances. Another $17,000 would be required to install bollards at entrances, to prevent forcible vehicular entry into the schools. These security measures will be considered as the board weighs the 2013-2014 budget. Total expenditure on the three security items is $146,100. I'd like to go on public record (and …

•  72 Comments
• Photos (1)

Pa. School Safety Hearing Set by GOP Senators

A group of GOP senators will review school emergency plans

The following press release was issued by Pa. Senate Republicans: HARRISBURG - School emergency plans and security measures designed to ensure student safety and increase school-to-parent communication during an emergency will receive an in-depth review by two key Senate committees Senators Lisa Baker (R-20), Mike Folmer (R-48), and Joe Scarnati (R-25) announced. Read more: Let Teachers Carry Guns, Say 2 Pa. Lawmakers The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Baker, and the Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Folmer, will hold the hearing from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the North Office Building, Hearing Room 1, Harrisburg. Among the strategies to be discussed is a proposal by Senate…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Moms Talk

Mom's Talk: Armed Guards in Our Schools?

Mom's Talk asks parents to tell us whether they think their children's school should have armed guards in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy

The debate over guns in schools heated up Friday as the NRA issued a sweeping call for armed guards nationwide and a group called MomsRising responded with harsh criticism of the powerful gun lobby. We'd like to hear the parents of our communities weigh in. Do you think your child's school should have armed protectors or does that idea worry you? There are strong opinions on both sides of this timely controversy. Post your comments below and you can also vote in our poll on an assault weapons ban. Our Moms Council members include: If you would like to become a part of the Moms Council and/or have ideas for future Moms Talk questions, please email jennifer.marangos@patch.com.

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)

Chief: Police Presence at Schools Was Precautionary

Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Monday that a police presence observed at some local schools following Friday's Connecticut school shooting was not meant to cause alarm.

The police presence that some families may have observed Monday at local schools such as St. Theresa School, Red Door Early Learning Center and the Saucon Valley School District campus wasn't meant to cause alarm, Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Monday. Shupp said his department wanted to help make parents, students and staff "feel a little bit safer" in the wake of the tragic and deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Friday. "It’s just simply that. It’s more of a presence in light of what happened," Shupp stressed, adding that there had been no specific threats regarding local schools. At the start of Monday's council meeting, councilwoman Gail Nolf led attendees in observing a moment…

• Photos (1)

SVSD Superintendent: 'Best Force and Source of Security are People'

In the wake of the Newtown school shooting, Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin thanked parents and staff for their faith in the district's schools on Monday.

Dear School Community, Today was emotional in many ways for all of us. I want to thank all of you for believing in our schools and sending your children to school this morning. I am sure in your hearts and minds there was that twinge of uncertainty with extra hugs, kisses, and spoken "I love you" as they left the house. Thank you to all staff throughout the district today for their caring smiles, helping hugs, and listening ears of support and comfort. We will continue to move forward and heal a little bit each day. Please know the best force and source of security are people; what people hear, what people see, what people know and those that are diligent enough to step up and speak out. Even if something makes you wonder, if something …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

SVSD Superintendent: Reassure Kids in Wake of School Shooting

The following letter was written and shared by Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin in response to the Newtown, Conn. school shooting.

Dear Saucon Valley School District and Community, I would like to ask you all to keep the victims, their families, loved ones, and their community in your thoughts and prayers as we all struggle with the unthinkable events in Connecticut yesterday. An act such as this defies explanation and reason. The Saucon Valley School District takes the safety and security of your children, the faculty, staff, and visitors seriously and keeps prevention as a priority. The district has measures in place to safeguard those in our care during the school day but regardless of what measures are in place some actions cannot be prevented as evidenced by today’s events. It is important to reassure children that the adults in their lives are doing everything …

•  15 Comments
• Photos (2)

Paula

9:28 pm on Friday, April 5, 2013

I have & it has been a horrific experience. Thank you.   more ›