School adds armed security
York PA Sept 19 2019 West York Area School District on Tuesday fast-tracked the approval of a policy allowing its newly appointed security coordinator to carry a firearm.
Ivan Quinones, the district’s school safety and security coordinator — responsible for overseeing Act 44 requirements and ensuring the effectiveness of the district’s security plan — was appointed a security guard at an Aug. 20 board meeting.
“We would be remiss in our duty to protect our students and staff should we not take advantage of every opportunity to enhance our security measures,” said Superintendent Todd Davies, in a news release.
The policy was a last-minute addition to the board’s agenda on Tuesday, Sept. 17 and board President Todd Gettys offered to bring it up for discussion without a vote — suspending the firearm approval in the meantime.
“I don’t think this is one that we need to rush,” he said.
But Davies requested it be put to a vote that night, noting that the district’s solicitor wrote the policy from scratch before even the Pennsylvania School Board Association completed its version of the policy.
The policy notes that the school board “is cognizant of the gun violence that has tragically affected public schools and other public places in the recent past,” and gives detailed instructions on how and when security personnel can use firearms, tasers or stun guns.
The 7-1 approval on Tuesday — with board Vice President Jeanne Herman voting “no” — waived a second approval required by board policy “to expedite the enactment of this policy” to reflect a resolution passed last month, the agenda states.
In the resolution, Quinones is also authorized to carry a firearm, based on his training and certifications as a retired law enforcement officer, as long as he completes the National Association of School Resource Officer training by March 31, 2020.
Unlike school resource officers, who have specific coverage areas, Quinones can move about the school freely, which makes his ability to bear arms beneficial, Gettys said.
His background, Gettys added, makes him qualified to hold a firearm. It’s not something that would necessarily be approved for safety coordinators in all school districts, he said.
A former U.S. Marine and commander with the Maryland State Police, Quinones has experience as public safety director for the Harrisburg Area Community College Campuses and holds the necessary public school code training and certifications.
He also advised legislators on developing Act 44 and the PA Safety Task Force.
