East Haven Votes Whether to Hire Armed Security Guards at Schools

EAST HAVEN, CT - A motion to hire armed security guards for every school in East Haven failed at a special meeting of the Board of Education earlier this week. The motion failed by a 4-3 vote of the board.

The vote came in the wake of the Parkland Florida school shooting massacre in February in which 17 students and staff were killed.

A motion was made by school board member Tom Hennessey to consider hiring armed security guards at all East Haven public schools.

A discussion amongst board members then issue regarding the issue of armed security guards.

Some board members felt that the financial commitment was too big for the town to undertake while others said cost didn't matter when it came to protecting staff and students.

A roll call vote was eventually taken with board members Hennessey, Lisa Geraci-Anastasio, Samantha Parlato and Chairwoman Michelle DeLucia voting against having armed guards.

Board members voting in favor of armed guards were Patricia DePalma, Christine Maisano, and Erica Santiago.

Two board members were absent - John Finkle and MaryAnn Pellegrino.

The board also held a discussion on whether to hire a security consultant - but that motion also failed, by a 4-3 vote.