Mars Area superintendent says security being discussed
After a gun scare Friday, Feb, 3, night during a varsity boys basketball game at Mars High School, the district’s superintendent pledged to review school security and make any necessary changes.
Mark Gross, Mars Area School District superintendent, said in a letter posted on the district’s website Monday, Feb. 6, that great importance is placed on school safety.
Gross said in addition to metal detectors, security cameras and a school police force, Mars Area also provides school safety training annually for staff and students.
The district also maintains a close working relationship with local police and other first responders, Gross said.
“We truly appreciate their role in keeping our students and staff safe,” he said in the letter.
Gross said “based on recent incidents,” district officials are meeting with local responders, state-level security consultants, and internal safety and security personnel to “review and make any necessary changes to current protocols in order to maximize our security efforts for students, staff and community members.”
Gross thanked all security personnel, both internal and external, for their quick response to the “incident that recently occurred on our high school campus.”
It is assumed Gross was referring to the weapon brought to school property during the basketball game, which caused players, coaches, fans and others to seek cover in classrooms and other safe areas when they were told a person at the game had a gun.
Adams Township police “detained a few” subjects on Friday, but were still working on the investigation on Monday morning and could not provide details on the incident. No one was injured, and no one has been charged, according to Adams Township police.
No further information was available from school officials on Friday’s incident.
Another weapons incident was reported at Mars Area High School on Wednesday, Feb. 1, when police charged Joseph Cotte-Rocco, 18, for bringing a 5-inch knife into class.
Police said Cotte-Rocco also threatened to burn the school down while bragging to classmates about possessing the knife.
Police were called when administration was alerted to the incident. Cotte-Rocco was charged with misdemeanor possession of a weapon on school property.
Rules & regulations for spectators at Mars Area High School sporting events
The Mars Area School District has updated its rules and regulations for all high school sporting events effective Monday, Feb. 6. The rules are as follows:
— All attendees of sporting events must have a valid ticket.
— Only small purses (4.5-by-6.5-inches), diaper bags, and medical bags are permitted.
— All personal items are subject to search.
— Children, ages 12 and under, must be accompanied by an adult. Children are not to be left unattended at any time.
— No spectator is permitted to enter the playing area at any time.
— Spectators must be remain fully dressed at all times.
— Signs are permitted, but must be handheld, event-related, in good taste, and cannot obstruct another spectator’s view. The district’s administration reserves the right to confiscate any sign.
— There is no reentry once a person leaves the building.
Visit www.marsk12.org for a list of all prohibited items at events.
