With more than four decades of experience, Larry Wittig leads a northeast Pennsylvania CPA firm as the managing partner. Outside of his professional endeavors, Larry Wittig serves as the president of the Tamaqua Area School Board and was recently named to its new safety commission, which was established in August 2019.

Comprised of faculty members, first responders, parents, and school board members, the commission was created to set in place accountability and response in the event that school security is breached, and a triage situation is required to deal with an incident such as a mass shooting.

Among those on the commission are the Tamaqua police and fire chiefs and the West Penn Township police chief, as well as a pair of teachers and a school nurse. Three school board members, including Mr. Wittig, and two parents round out the commission.

The creation of the safety commission comes in the wake of Policy 705, which was adopted by the school board in September 2018, authorizing the arming of teachers, administrators, and district staff. This authorization was ultimately scrapped after intense debate, legal action, and a new law signed by Pennsylvania’s governor requiring special training for those who would be armed.

Mr. Wittig noted that consensus is required on the new commission for any such policy, and that it be both legal and effective. He added that saving lives is a priority.