25
c
ThE TRIBORO
s
t en
Serving Taylor, Old Forge, Moosic & Surrounding Areas
ON THe iNSide Readers’ Choice
Last chance to cast your vote Pages 8 and 9
BANNER March 12, 2015
www.thetriborobanner.com
it’s about improving Protection State rep. proposes bi-partisan school lockdown drill bill
Sports
read all about the Lady Vikes Page 14
State Rep. Sid Kavulich.
PHOTOS SHANNON C. KEITH
by Shannon C. Keith
TRIBORO BANNER EDITOR
times-shamrock community newspapers 149 Penn Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: (570) 207-3473 Fax: (570) 207-3448 e-mail: triborobanner@ timesshamrock.com
There is currently no legislation in the state that requires school districts to conduct emergency lockdown drills. And that’s something State Rep. Sid Kavulich wants to see change. “Schools have always worked for the safety of their students,” Kavulich explained. “Fire drills have been going on forever, but in this day and age, Rep. Hackett and I feel we need to be prepared for a different sort of threat.” Kavulich, who is a Democrat, teamed up with Republican Joseph Hackett from the 161 district. “There is absolutely no reason why we can’t come together and work together on something as important as the safety of our children,” he said. Current law requires schools to have emergency management plans in place and conduct monthly fire drills; however, there is no requirement that the plans be rehearsed or ensure that faculty, staff and students are pre-
From left: Assistant District Attorney Eugene M. Talerico, Taylor Borough Police Chief Leonard Mickavicz, 161 District State Rep. Joseph Hackett, Kavulich and Abington Heights School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Mahon.
pared in emergency scenarios. “This is a bipartisan effort to make sure our students, teachers and administrators are fully aware of what to do if an emergency strikes. We practice fire drills and we should practice emergency lockdowns to ensure the safety of those who are a part of our educational system,” Kavulich said. “Pennsylvania is like a time-bomb ticking,” Rep. Hackett stated during a Lackawanna County press conference announcing the proposed legislation. “What I mean is that there is currently a lack of training for our teachers and our students as to how to respond in an emergency. Compared to other states, Pennsylvania is behind the times.” According to Hackett, students are 35 percent more likely to be part of a violent incident in schools than an active fire during the
Vehicle Registration • Driver’s License • CDL • Plates Duplicate Titles • Transfers • Restorations • Full Notary Services New Low Rates On Progressive Insurance PENNDOT AUTHORIZED state and service fees apply
TS_CNG/TRIBORO/PAGES [T01] | 03/11/15
09:32 | LONGOSTEPH
school day. “Less than one percent of incidents involve fire in a schools across the state, but our schools are mandated to hold fire drills once a month,” he added. Kavuilich and Hackett are proposing to reduce the number of required fire drills and replace them with more “effective” lockdown drills. “Pennsylvania is not immune; it’s time and it makes sense,” remarked Assistant District Attorney Eugene Talerico. “When that call comes in, wouldn’t it be better to know ‘We’ve planned for this, we’ve trained for this?’” “It’s definitely time to update the law to reflect the reality that we face in 2015,” added Michael Mahon, superintendent of the Abington Heights School District.
Clarks Summit - 215 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411 570-587-2272 Scranton - 1726 N Keyser Ave., Scranton, PA 18508; Keyser Oak Shopping Ctr 570-207-0900 Locations also in: Carbondale, Montrose, Tunkhannock, Honesdale, Dallas and Wyoming All Locations Hours: Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm • Saturday: 9am - 1pm