UPDATE: KO Board to Vote on Arming School Security Guard

UPDATE, Jan. 17, 8:52 p.m.: The Keystone Oaks School Board voted Thursday in favor of allowing school security officer Beth Padden to carry a firearm.

This will not take effect immediately. Padden must first complete an intensive, five-month training course. If she passes the training, she will be allowed to carry a firearm at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year.

The board also agreed to discuss additional options for making the schools safer. A full update will be posted on Dormont-Brookline Patch tomorrow morning.

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The Keystone Oaks School Board plans to vote this evening on whether school security guard Beth Padden should be authorized to carry a firearm.

The following item is included as an adendum in the Jan. 17 meeting agenda package, which is available on the Keystone Oaks School District website:

1. AUTHORIZATION OF SCHOOL SECURITY GUARD TO CARRY A FIREARM

The Administration recommends the approval of Ms. Beth Ann Padden, School Security Guard, to carry a firearm as defined by the Lethal Weapons Training Act.

For Information:

Upon approval to carry a firearm in the Schools of the Keystone Oaks School District, Ms. Padden will then seek the proper certified training to carry the firearm in accordance with the law. The cost of the training will be approximately $1,900.00 which will be assumed by the District.

In addition to a security guard, the Keystone Oaks School District also has a school police officer, Aaron Vanatta, who oversees all five district schools, and is armed.

The school board meeting is today, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. The agenda is attached to this article as a PDF document, and also includes votes on policies regarding transportation and internet/email use by district employees. The policies are included in the agenda package.

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