Director concerned about security
By: GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Bucks County Courier Times
MORRISVILLE SCHOOLS
John DeWilde asked board members to meet with the police chief in light of a shooting at a school board meeting in Florida.
Morrisville School Director John DeWilde wants to make sure that while he's discussing business at school board meetings, the board and the public are safe.
At Wednesday's board meeting, DeWilde asked for the board members to meet with Morrisville Police Chief Jack Jones to discuss safety measures and protocol in case of an emergency, such as someone pulling out a gun and shooting.
School board President Bill Hellmann assured DeWilde that the issue would be discussed soon.
DeWilde's safety concerns stems from a Tuesday incident in Panama City, Fla., when gunman Clay Duke shot at school district officials multiple times during a school board meeting before turning the gun on himself. Luckily, none of the shots fired hit anyone.
Duke was upset at the district for terminating his wife, Rebecca Duke, in February. The district hired her in September 2009, as a primary school teacher for students with special needs, but terminated her after a 97-day probationary period, according to the Associated Press.
DeWilde told the board, "We don't need that to happen here,'' and "we aren't prepared for that.''
DeWilde would like Jones and the board to have an action plan, just in case.
Gema Maria Duarte can be reached at 215-949-4195 or gduarte@phillyburbs.com. Follow Gema at twitter.com/deadlineduarte.
December 16, 2010 02:06 AM
