The Altoona Area School District board approved a policy addition that will allow school district police officers to utilize semi-automatic patrol rifles if the need arises.

The final reading on the addition to the AASD Police Department firearms policy was unanimously approved by the board Tuesday night.

Patrol rifles can only to utilized by school district officers who have completed the Patrol Rifle Operators Program.

Superintendent Charles Prijatelj said the district has a complete police department certified by the state.

Within the department, there are three officers who are ACT 120 certified, which means they have attended the police academy.

The purpose of the addition of the patrol rifles is specific — to make sure that if there is a situation where officers need to access a semi-automatic patrol rifle as a tool, they will be able to access it, he said.

“At this point in time, there are several items that the officers have access to but they do not carry them at all times,” Prijatelj explained.

The policy already authorizes officers to carry the following weapons and ammunition: Glock models 22 and 23 .40-caliber pistol/Federal .40-caliber 180 grain HST, Remington 870 12-gauge/OO buckshot 9 pellet and 1 oz. rifled slug and any revolver/pistol or ammunition cleared for duty by the range instructor/police director.

The addition to the policy reads “Semi-Automatic Patrol Rifle as approved by the Department Patrol Rifle Instructor. Personally owned patrol rifles are authorized for officers who have successfully completed the Patrol Rifle Operators Program.”

Projectors approved

In other business Tuesday, the board approved the addition of two new projectors for the high school auditorium after adding the items to the agenda.

Ben Cossitor, director of technology, first gave a presentation on the proposed equipment, noting the projectors could project anywhere on stage or while the stage is in use.

“It creates a backdrop that can be used for stage productions, music bents and other things we put on the stage,” Cossitor said. “It allows us to have scenery that is digitally projected.”

Students will be taught how to use the projectors, how to create the images used and students will operate the projectors during productions, he said.

Cossitor said the projectors would be useful for the spring musical and fall play, as well as other productions that are staged throughout the year.

Community groups that use the auditorium would also be able to use the projectors for their events, he said, adding that the equipment should last for at least 10 years.

Business manager Camilla Houy said the purchase for the two projectors would not exceed $171,679.33 will be provided by ESSER funds and a donation from Thomas R. Smith, a graduate and longtime employee of the district.