School board member pushes for discussion on arming employees
By: Joe Holden
Updated: March 7, 2013
Exeter, Luzerne County- At recent meetings of the Wyoming Area Board of Education, officials tossed around a number of measures to better secure aging buildings.
What's seen as a must-do is to revamp the entrances to the district's secondary center.
"Once you're through these doors, you have access to the second and first levels," said Frank Casarella. "You know it's all open."
Casarella, a school board member and retired school administrator, said the aging secondary center, which hundreds of students, was built in a different time. Homeroom mothers, he said, would access the school building and would head directly to the classroom they were assigned.
A staircase sits immediately to the left of the school's main entrance. It's placement allows visitors unfettered access to the second floor, no questions asked.
The board has tussled with options on how to renovate the entrance. For bullet-resistant glass and a total overhaul, leaders expect to see a price tag of $100,000.
A strained budget is predicted to weigh heavily on the board's decision. An architect is designing the project.
Board member Deanna Farrell said other, more cost-effective options are available. She questioned the need for bullet-resistant glass.
Multiple messages left for Ray Bernardi, superintendent of schools, were not returned.
But one board member has taken issues of school safety beyond entrance ways and cameras.
Carl Yurina, Jr., tells Eyewitness News a discussion should be had on what would happen if the school's security was breached. Among the district's several school buildings, the secondary center is arguably the most vulnerable. At a board meeting last week, Yurina told the packed room if an intruder was to show up with a cannon, the school should have a cannon to fight back.
"What happens if you breach that security," said Yurina. "You need to be able to fight back."
His comments have turned heads, sparking disagreement among board members. Some called the mere talk of training and arming teachers "ridiculous."
Board president John Bolin said he would have to look further into the matter before reaching a decision.
Casarella said he doubted if the school's education association would even support such a proposal.
"Maybe the discussion needs to take place, where there needs to be levels of protection, where maybe arming the staff," he said.
According to The Citizens' Voice, Yurina raised the issue at Tuesday's board meeting. The paper reported that Yurina desired to offer firearms training to teachers, allowing them to carry in the school.
In the least, he said school resource officers should be present in each of the district's buildings.
Casarella preferred relying on local police to handle security matters. Wyoming Area, he said, also staffs a small police unit that covers the district.
What's seen as a must-do is to revamp the entrances to the district's secondary center.
"Once you're through these doors, you have access to the second and first levels," said Frank Casarella. "You know it's all open."
Casarella, a school board member and retired school administrator, said the aging secondary center, which hundreds of students, was built in a different time. Homeroom mothers, he said, would access the school building and would head directly to the classroom they were assigned.
A staircase sits immediately to the left of the school's main entrance. It's placement allows visitors unfettered access to the second floor, no questions asked.
The board has tussled with options on how to renovate the entrance. For bullet-resistant glass and a total overhaul, leaders expect to see a price tag of $100,000.
A strained budget is predicted to weigh heavily on the board's decision. An architect is designing the project.
Board member Deanna Farrell said other, more cost-effective options are available. She questioned the need for bullet-resistant glass.
Multiple messages left for Ray Bernardi, superintendent of schools, were not returned.
But one board member has taken issues of school safety beyond entrance ways and cameras.
Carl Yurina, Jr., tells Eyewitness News a discussion should be had on what would happen if the school's security was breached. Among the district's several school buildings, the secondary center is arguably the most vulnerable. At a board meeting last week, Yurina told the packed room if an intruder was to show up with a cannon, the school should have a cannon to fight back.
"What happens if you breach that security," said Yurina. "You need to be able to fight back."
His comments have turned heads, sparking disagreement among board members. Some called the mere talk of training and arming teachers "ridiculous."
Board president John Bolin said he would have to look further into the matter before reaching a decision.
Casarella said he doubted if the school's education association would even support such a proposal.
"Maybe the discussion needs to take place, where there needs to be levels of protection, where maybe arming the staff," he said.
According to The Citizens' Voice, Yurina raised the issue at Tuesday's board meeting. The paper reported that Yurina desired to offer firearms training to teachers, allowing them to carry in the school.
In the least, he said school resource officers should be present in each of the district's buildings.
Casarella preferred relying on local police to handle security matters. Wyoming Area, he said, also staffs a small police unit that covers the district.
