Nathan Zeckman, a former Marine, believes there should be teams of staff members trained to respond if an armed intruder enters a school, "rather than sitting and waiting."

Zeckman, a long-term substitute health and physical education teacher at Hempfield High School, said he would be willing to be a member of  such a team.

Asked if teachers should be armed, he said: "I think that needs to be discussed."

David Van Ingen believes schools officials are already taking necessary precautions, such as limiting entry to buildings during the school day, to keep their students safe.

Van Ingen points out that if someone wanted to harm schoolchildren, he or she could stop along a public road and shoot them with a rifle while they are playing at recess.

"Does that mean we shouldn't have recess?" he asked. "You can't stop everything."

Since last month's shooting of 26 children and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., school safety has been on the minds of the nation, including about 80 people who gathered Thursday night for a forum at Hempfield High School.

"You will never hear me say that it can't happen here. It can happen anywhere," Hempfield superintendent Brenda Becker said.

Yet, she said, the chances of it happening are minuscule.

Still, the district has emergency plans for natural disasters, fires, intruders and hazardous materials spills. It has plans to address lock-downs and evacuations of school buildings and how children will be reunited with parents.

There are security cameras in every school, with more than 100 in the high school alone, and phone and email alert systems to notify parents of emergencies.

Those plans are reviewed frequently and drills are held often.

While it may have allayed the fears of some parents, Becker presented the information so they would know what steps the district has already taken.

Then, she asked what — if any — other steps should be taken to keep students safe.

Becker said she has heard calls for bullet-proof glass to be installed and metal detectors to be placed at school entrances to prevent weapons from being taken inside.

 She asked how additional safety measures should be funded.

The state restricts the district's ability to raise taxes. A referendum  seeking a tax hike could be pursued, but some 70 percent of district voters do not have a child in school and likely would not support a significant  increase, she said.

That means the money would likely have to come from cuts to existing programs. Should athletics or music be cut to pay for additional security? she asked.

When audience members were later formed into small discussion groups, some did call for metal detectors. Community fundraisers should be held to pay for them, some suggested.

Another group called for locks to be placed on classroom doors that could only be opened by electronic access cards issued to students.

That group also suggested a "wedding registry-style" list be made available, where people could choose what security enhancements they wish to contribute money toward.

Another group came out against metal detectors, bars on windows and armed security guards.

"What kind of culture are we promoting?" they asked.

Becker said the input will be   evaluated, prioritized and taken to school board members for discussion.

"There will definitely be follow-up to this," she promised.
bharris@lnpnews.com