JACKSON TWP — Law enforcement and Seneca Valley School District officials will discuss the importance of school security with the public Thursday.

The program “Designing Safe and Secure Schools” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Seneca Valley Senior High School Auditorium.

Superintendent Tracy Vitale said this presentation will include a panel of school safety experts and police officers from both the school district, Jackson and Cranberry townships, chiefs of police and state police.

“Having safe and secure schools is the number-one priority of the Seneca Valley School District,” Vitale said. “Striking a balance between security and a relaxed classroom environment in a school can sometimes be challenging — however, preparedness, community awareness and constant communication with all stakeholders helps to make our schools safer.”

School safety experts and police officers will discuss proactive approaches to keeping schools safe, latest innovations in school safety and what can be learned from past national tragedies.

Jeff James, supervisor of safety and security, said parents in attendance will be able to see “the measures we're putting in place, both active and passive, to keep their children safe.”

The panelists will also open up for parent and community questions, Vitale said.

James said it will also be an opportunity for parents to see the relationship that school security staff has with law enforcement.

“It's a chance for them to see how seriously we all take the mission of keeping our schools safe,” he said.

The program is recommended for parents and community members rather than children, but child care will be provided for parents or residents who wish to attend.

For more information and to reserve child care, visit www.svsd.net/HealthySchools.