A plan to implement arms guards in the Upper Perkiomen School District is proceeding.

            Last week, Member J.P. Prego announced during the workshop meeting that the district's facilities committee unanimously approved a recommendation by administrators to utilize them for the upcoming school year.

            An action item allowing armed guards in the district's five schools, as well as one additional unarmed guard at the middle and high school, respectively, will be included in the June 15 regular board meeting agenda.

            The plan is to utilize the armed guards for the upcoming school year, according to board President Melanie Cunningham.

            Superintendent Allyn Roche said the goal is to allow the full board to discuss the issue. He said during a May 15 facilities committee meeting that a vote on the matter could follow.

            "This is an issue no one on the committee takes lightly," Prego said during the committee meeting.

            Last month, the committee voted to advance the issue. The three-person panel expressed its support for the recommendation which calls for a mix of armed and unarmed guards.

            Keith McCarrick, a member of the committee, recommended a combination of efforts to prevent any mishaps involving students. He said he didn't want to be "sitting on the board" when a child is injured or killed during an incident in one of the district's buildings.

            "It would be one of the worst things that could happen," McCarrick said.

            During the committee meeting, Roche told the members that the district received 12 responses to its request. He said a panel of 13 people – consisting of administrators and two members of the Upper Perkiomen Education Association – would be interviewing the top four applicants "later in the week."

            Each would receive 10 to 15 minutes to make a presentation.

            Cunningham said during the committee meeting that the goal of the board is to be proactive and transparent. She expressed confidence that the interview process would reveal the ideal candidate.

            Board Member Peg Pennepacker, who attended the committee meeting in the audience, said the district might need to consider adding metal detectors and all allow only clear backpacks in the schools.

            "I see it happening all over the country," Pennepacker said.

            In April, the superintendent explained that administrators have held ongoing discussions on this security option for at least a year. Following an April 26 facilities committee meeting, he provided research compiled by the district identifying 14 proximate districts – including Perkiomen Valley, Boyertown, Pottsgrove, Quakertown, Daniel Boone and Pennridge – that utilize at least one armed guard.

            Administrators have budgeted $288,000 for the armed guards, according to an email message received Wednesday morning from district spokesperson Alexis Jenofsky. She wrote that the district will have confirmed numbers after the requests for proposals are opened and scored.

            Roche said administrators initially investigated partnering with the state police and the Upper Perk Police Department for coverage at the high school, located at 2 Walt Road in Red Hill, and the middle school, located at 901 Montgomery Avenue in Upper Hanover. He said after the meeting that contracting for armed security was the most cost-effective option for keeping the students and staff safe.

            According to UPPD Chief Joe Adam, who discussed the issue with administrators in December, the district would have limited control of the guards should it contract with a vendor.

            He said the best course of action for school officials to maintain oversight is to create their own police department.

            During the May 25 workshop meeting, the board welcomed Craig Howard as the district's new facilities director. The Pennsburg resident will also serve as its school safety and security coordinator. 

            The members met in executive session immediately prior to the public meeting to discuss an issue of safety and security, according to Solicitor Kyle J. Somers.