Dear Editor,

Regarding the Sept. 20th article "Should teachers carry guns?" I agree safety is a primary concern in schools.Children learn best when they feel safe, but I agree most with JimThorpe's Police Chief Joseph Schatz that "the best solution is to have a school resource officer on duty." Let the teachers concentrate on the instructional program, and let professionals trained in arms protect our children.I am familiar with the issues of school safety, having served as a school principal for 13 years in Philadelphia.My school had a uniformed, armed officer patrolling halls and campus. Fortunately, our patrolman viewed his role broadly, counseling staff and students on safety. Further, we were confident to know that the only gun present was possessed by someone trained in firearms.This arrangement frees teachers and administrators to focus on the jobs educators are trained for to educate young people.Sincerely,Bill AllisonPenn Forest