In Peters, where the median income is more than $102,000, the well-staffed police department will check up on your house if you go on vacation and an award is given out every year to the citizen who most exemplifies honesty, responsibility and respect.

Not the demographics typically associated with random violence?

Maybe not, but come November, the halls of the Peters Township High School will be monitored by security guard with a gun.

Just in case.

"Columbine thought that it would never happen there, and this is Peters Township. We want to make sure it doesn't happen here," said district Superintendent Dr. Nina Zetty on why she recommended the school board approve a contract with a security company that provides armed guards.

Dr. Zetty said the district isn't addressing any kind of violent incident, but rather seeks to be "proactive," in its approach to school security.

"After 9/11, I think everybody thinks differently," said Dr. Zetty, who said the security guard will be used to supplement other security measures recently taken at the high school and the district's four other schools.

The schools are now equipped with video surveillance systems, automatically locking doors and other measures designed to keep students in and danger out.

"We've been moving down this road for quite a while," said district spokeswoman Shelly Belcher, who said the district studied confidential security audits performed by the Peters police department, a local FBI agent and others to determine how best to keep students safe.

A special school board committee discussed the plan at a public meeting, but no residents attended, Dr. Zetty said.

The full board on Monday voted 5-1 to approve a one-year pact with Specialized Security Response Inc., of Castle Shannon, for one full-time armed guard to be paid $25 an hour.

The guard, who will be chosen by the district from a list provided by the company, will be required to undergo municipal police officer education and training. The person must be certified to carry a weapon.

The contract also provides for additional officers who can be hired for special events.

According to the company Web site, it provides school security for several other districts, including Mars Area and Mohawk Area school districts.

Not all of the board members were happy with the idea.

Dissenting member Julie Ann Sullivan said she thought the plan went too far.

"I can't, in good conscience, approve security officers that will be armed," she said.

Members David Hvizdos, Lori Cuervo, Lynn Erenberg, Cindy Golembiewski and Diane Ritter voted in favor. Board members Dr. Mark Buzzatto, Thomas McMurray and Sue Smith were absent.

The district declined an additional proposal from the company for a canine unit to conduct random drug and alcohol searches at a rate of $4,000 per week.

Dr. Zetty said she is interested in obtaining canine security services soon, but said she hopes to negotiate a lower price.

Previously, the district used municipal canine officers for searches.

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