Preston – About a dozen parents, residents and teachers suggested improved school safety measures to the school board Monday that ranged from ensuring at least one resident trooper is on duty during school hours to tightening security at school drop-off and pick-up times to allowing some school staff to carry concealed firearms.

The school board held a 30-minute informal public forum prior to its regular meeting to hear from residents and school staff on school safety measures in the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting in Parkland, Fla.

School Superintendent Roy Seitsinger said some changes are being made internally to improve safety practices and policies. A larger plan that might require funding through the school budget, grants or a request to the Board of Finance is expected to be presented in executive session at the April 9 school board meeting.

Resident Michael Clancy said now that Preston has restored a second resident state trooper, town officials should mandate that at least one resident trooper be on duty in town while school is in session for faster response time. Clancy objected to the idea that teachers be allowed to carry firearms during school.

“As a citizen, I would be very uncomfortable arming teachers,” Clancy said. “That’s why I want a trooper in town. Educators are here to educate. Police officers are here to enforce the law."

Resident John Homiski disagreed. He said the schools should not be seen as “soft targets” any longer. Homiski asked how school officials could prevent a person from carrying a gun into the school buildings – including for evening school board meetings, typically held at Preston Plains Middle School.

“What is stopping anyone in this room from entering this school tonight with a gun?” he asked.

Homiski asked the school board to review what safety measures are already in place and those being considered, but board Chairman Sean Nugent said only the framework of school safety plans, along with funding requests, will be revealed, not the details. Seitsinger added that some measures will become “physically evident, or personally evident,” in everyday practices at the two schools.

Seitsinger told participants that some of the suggestions they made Monday already are being considered, while other ideas are new and will be considered. Seitsinger will continue to take suggestions by email seitsingerr@prestonschools.org.

Resident Andy Depta suggested installing silent alarm buttons like those at banks that would notify state police, the resident troopers’ office and the superintendent’s office immediately during an emergency.

While students routinely carry backpacks, Depta said if a visiting adult is carrying “any kind of satchel” into either school, the bags should be searched.

Several speakers suggested tighter supervision at school bus pick-up and drop-off times, including ensuring that only authorized guardians are picking up children. Depta also said student pick-up and drop-off should be done through only one set of doors at each school, rather than having several doors open at one time.

Parent Melissa Lennon said the Parkland shooting brought to light a new potential safety risk, as the shooter allegedly pulled the fire alarm to lure students and teachers into the hallways. She said schools now need to train for multiple scenarios, such as a fire alarm turning into a lockdown, but with some students already outside the building.

c.bessette@theday.com