Franklin still looking at school security measures

Franklin School District superintendent Pamela Dye said Monday no immediate measures have been taken toward hiring a school resource officer or security guards for the four schools in the district.

The notion of hiring officers cropped up last school year amid national school shootings and the school district’s own experience with threatening comments made by both students and outsiders.

Over the summer, the district was in talks with the Venango County sheriff’s office and even appropriated $114,000 for the hiring of a school resource officer or security guards for the schools.

Although a decision was due to be made this month, Dye said after Monday’s school board meeting the district remains uncertain of who will be hired and at what cost. She said some form of security officers will be put in place, but a time frame is still unknown.

Franklin School Board members approved several measures during their brief meeting Monday.

The panel approved the payment of $14,801.02 to Reabah Inc. DBA Teceri for additional cameras and installation at the three elementary buildings.

The original $81,441 project and additional work will be paid for with capital funds.

The first reading of the kindergarten registration policy was approved.

Under the new policy, the kindergarten registration age cutoff would be moved from Sept. 1 to Aug. 1.

The second reading of the possession/use of asthma inhalers and Epinephrine auto-injectors was approved.

The policy will allow students to carry prescribed inhalers and/or auto-injectors, whereas before they were not allowed.

In other business, it was announced that Leslie Smith, a district secretary, will retire effective Nov. 9 after 28 years of service

And Stephen Kistler, a buildings and grounds employee, will retire effective Feb. 28 after more than 29 years of service

The board will next meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 in the junior/senior high school library.