Where do Centre County school board candidates stand on school safety & security?
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2025 primary election: Centre County school board races
The Centre Daily Times recently sent a survey to all Centre County school board candidates with questions about a number of issues. Read their responses below, and remember to vote in the May 20 primary election.
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Editor’s note: The Centre Daily Times recently sent a survey with questions about a number of issues to all school board candidates who filed to run in the May 2025 primary election. Seventeen candidates participated, while eight did not. We have published their unedited responses, which were limited to fewer than 300 words each. We will publish additional responses in other stories.
With May’s primary election approaching quickly, the Centre Daily Times surveyed school board candidates across Centre County’s school districts to share their positions on school safety and the role of school security officers.
All five public school districts in Centre County employ school resource officers, school police officers or other safety measures, including metal detectors or security screenings. School security dominated headlines even further in April when police thwarted an alleged shooting planned to target State College Area High School.
We asked candidates how they view the role and the necessity of school security and safety measures as attacks in schools, including shootings, are on the rise.
State College Area School District candidates
Deborah Anderson — We should use a variety of tools to ensure safety in our schools. Our school resource officers (SROs) play an important role. Currently, we have a full-time SRO assigned to the High School; a full-time SRO assigned to Delta and Mount Nittany Middle School; and a part-time SRO assigned to Park Forest Middle School. All of our SROs also check in with the elementary schools. I also support periodic use of metal detectors and bag checks at the secondary schools; such random use has been shown to be an effective deterrent to students bringing weapons to school. We have several other valuable security measures, including locked entries which require adult visitors to show ID; student IDs which are checked by security personnel before students enter the high school; and (something to be improved) alarms to alert if an unattended exterior door is opened. Finally, I think the most protective safety measure is to continue to build our community so that everyone feels welcome, supported, and part of the school family. This helps ensure that we do not have disgruntled students or former students, and also that if a community member learns of a potential threat, they alert the proper authorities.
Rebecca Arnold Desmarais — I feel we have good safety measures in place, but there is always room to improve upon them. I support school security officers in the schools that are trained in de-escalation techniques, mental health awareness, building positive relationships with students. Their presence can contribute to a safer and more supportive school climate in a way that solely relying on technology might not. I feel for the days after a security threat, metal detectors may offer some comfort but there is a potential for students to become desensitized to them over time or the possibility of focusing on them while neglecting other crucial aspects of school safety. Bag checks, I have more questions than answers right now. I worry it would be harder on students and their personal rights. Who would be doing the bag checks? What are the circumstances surrounding the bag checks? Would parents be notified before a bag check is conducted and need to be present? How would random bag checks affect a student’s mental health afterwards? I would need more evidence-based research to help with the decision-making when it comes to school security measures and highlight the need to consider the potential psychological and emotional impact on students.
Jesse Barlow — First, the State College Police deserve great praise for thwarting the alleged shooting at State High. The temporary security measures at State High and Delta were appropriate. Also appropriate was the board’s decision on April 21 to purchase three metal detectors (the same number they had to borrow from PSU) and, on May 5, to purchase five metal detector wands. The board also renewed its Student Resource Officer (SRO) agreements with State College Borough and with Patton Township.
Metal detectors are effective in keeping students from bringing weapons to school (that has not been a day-to-day problem for SCASD) and an SRO played a key role in preventing the alleged shooting. However, there have been mass shooting incidents when metal detectors and when SROs are present. Studies have shown that using metal detectors on random days is just as effective in keeping weapons out of schools as having them there all the time. Moreover, having metal detectors all the time is expensive and, over time, leads to students feeling less secure rather than more so. Our policy on using these devices needs to be carefully considered to fit into a larger plan of school safety.
Jennifer Black — I think having SROs (School Resource Officers) in our schools has been very beneficial. This provides a positive link between students and the police. I don’t feel that the use of metal detectors is a feasible long-term solution. Some research has shown that identifying weapons through the use of metal detectors is not nearly as effective as people believe. It is also a very time- and labor-intensive resource that requires significant staffing. If we are able to provide metal detectors short-term after specific threats to help students and staff feel safer, I believe that is important. Checking in with students and staff to find out what they need in the short term is paramount. But in the long term, I believe we need to look at the research about what approaches are most effective. Spending more time and resources on programs targeted to improve mental health of students is, in my opinion, a far better use of funding.
This article from West Ed Justice and Resource Center does a succinct job of presenting the research findings.
Jackie Huff — The mission of the board is to cultivate schools that every student can walk into and feel welcome and safe. School safety requires a multi-pronged, comprehensive approach. Implementing physical and procedural improvements, such as locked doors and visitor procedures, are important. Additionally, a good working relationship with local law enforcement makes both our schools and community safer. Finally, from a safety standpoint, it is important to foster a climate that successfully addresses the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of our students. Each of these prongs is important and each of them require we be attentive to the changing needs of our district.
Kirsten McTernan — The recent thwarted attack on our local high school should be a wake-up call to ensure that those responsible for the protection of our schools are doing everything possible to keep our children, teachers, and staff safe. I believe we need to hire SROs who are physically fit and are properly trained to know what to do in an active shooter situation. They also need to be equipped with the tools needed to defend the school. Multiple studies have shown that mass shootings are much more likely to take place in areas where there aren’t any armed officers; therefore I believe in allowing trained SROs to carry. I also support other safety measures, like non-lethal weapons, metal detectors, and bulletproof dry-erase boards that teachers can use like a shield.
Mihaly Sogor — It’s an unfortunate reality of the world we live in that we can’t afford to stand by and do nothing. Based on recommended standards, we currently don’t have enough School Resource Officers (SROs) for the number of students at the high school. That said, it’s essential to strike a balance—we want our schools to feel safe and welcoming, not like a prison. Removing the metal detectors the day after the threat passed, and making that information public sent the wrong message. Consistent, thoughtful safety measures are key to both prevention and peace of mind.
Bellefonte Area School District candidates
Nate Campbell — Safety and security is at the top of the list of concerns. We have added a Director of Security and a School Police officer since I joined the board. We have also budgeted for another officer for next year, this is in addition to the 2 Bellefonte officers assigned to the school. Also, equipment around the district has been updated to provide both the staff and students with more safety measures. Safety is a constant concern that we will always be looking to improve upon. The district has looked into metal detectors and were not satisfied with the protection they provided, so we continue to look at safety measures that actually work and are a good use of the district’s resources.
Jon Guizar — We continue to allocate additional resources to our school police and safety program. I believe we see the greatest benefit in this area. We also believe that engineered solutions in the design phase of any rehab work or new construction offers a good return on investment. The challenge will always be to ensure absolute safety to the best of our ability while maintaining a school environment conducive to learning.
Kristin Lyons — As a school board member, I believe the top priority of our district is the safety of our students, teachers, and staff. I strongly believe that school security officers can play a vital role in creating a safe and supportive environment. These officers should be trained not only in crisis intervention and response, but also in fostering trust and positive relationships with the students. That is why we applied for grants to pay for upgrades and hired our own safety director and school officer. The school board has approved the funding to hire another officer for next year.
Joe Yech — Safety is paramount to a good learning environment. Students should be focused on learning activities, not on someone barging into the school. Unfortunately, there is not an easy solution to this problem. If metal detectors were it, then data would show it and they would have been implemented years ago at every school in the nation. Our local school resource officers are a great source of security in the Bellefonte schools as they work with the students every day, fostering a sense of trust and building relationships with our students. We need to continue to work with our local law enforcement agencies to ensure preparedness, as well as be up to date on security advancements in order to implement strategies that will make us more secure.
Board candidate Jack Bechdel, who will still appear on the primary ballot because the filing deadline has passed, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman in early April and resigned from the district’s school board days later. He said he would not participate in the survey. Holly Hopkins was appointed to fill his seat and has launched a write-in campaign for the primary election.
Penns Valley Area School District candidates
Daniel Decker — I support the district’s decision to hire school safety officers. These officers’ primary mission is the protection of students and staff in the event of a threat to the school. These positions are required due to the threats facing public schools. We must protect our children and staff from violence. The district should utilize practical measures to secure the buildings, protect students and protect members of staff.
Amber May — Every student deserves to learn in a safe and secure environment, and our SPOs (School Police Officers) play a key role in supporting that. Between October 2024 and January 2025, their efforts to build trust in the school community led to a notable increase in student-reported feelings of safety at school (75% to 86% according to their Annual Report). Penns Valley has implemented several other safety measures as well, and I would be open to exploring additional strategies guided by research, industry experts, and community feedback. At the same time, having worked at Penns Valley High School during the pandemic, I saw firsthand the impact of safety protocols on students’ motivation and autonomy. As such, I would advocate for a balanced approach to safety that grows from a culture of trust and shared goals. As a trained mental health counselor, I understand the important relationship between a student’s emotional state and overall success, and as a school board member I would seek to foster a culture of trust, respect, and open-mindedness. My hope is that by helping all community members feel included and accepted, emotional and physical safety can be realized, together.
Mike Pase — Our school (Penns Valley) has school security officers. I support the SPOs and the work they do. I agree it is troubling times that make this a necessary measure, but this is the reality of where we are at. If things change in the future, then we can change with the times. As for now SPOs are critical to the safety and success of the school.
Jessica Shawver — Our school has recently implemented safety officers. However, I don’t think increasing the security at schools is the part that needs to be adjusted. The bullying problem at the schools has gotten way out of hand. There is a discipline problem, not a security problem. There are no true repercussions for the bullies, and victims are made to feel that they were in the wrong. Whereas I am not condoning any act of violence toward another student or a school whatsoever, but the lack of protection towards these students being bullied, is the result of school shootings and suicides. Start teaching kids there are consequences to their actions and how they treat people, and you may see results.
Kendyl Wittenrich — First and foremost, I know that student safety is at the heart and soul of every Penns Valley employee. I am also confident they do everything in their power to keep our kids safe daily. That said, there are occasional situations that are outside their control and may require support from others.
In general, school security officers have been a positive addition to the Penns Valley campuses and community. As our officers interact with students throughout the day, they are uniquely positioned to identify those who may be at risk (for misbehavior or otherwise). They are also well-positioned to serve as a touchpoint for students, and to engage in open discussions that lead to student growth. In other words, when utilized fully, school security officers provide not only safety to the hallways, but also support to the students who walk them.
Filed candidates Douglas Roth and Vincent Nicosia did not respond to the Centre Daily Times’ survey.
Bald Eagle Area School District candidates
This district’s four filed candidates — Tina Greene, Mary Ann Hamilton, Mark Kresovich and Timothy Nilson — did not respond to the Centre Daily Times’ survey.
Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District candidates
Richard Wood — Maintain our detectors. Consider adding to the elementary level. I support having safety officers.
No candidate has filed to run for the Philipsburg-Oceola Area School District’s two Centre County-based school board seats. Richard Wood and Shawnna Baney-Shaw have filed to run for the district’s seats up for election in Clearfield County and were invited to respond to this survey.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 5:20 AM.
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