In the event of an emergency evacuation at an Easton area day care center, the children might be sent temporarily to a church or a community center.

Why not a public school?

The Easton Area School District superintendent thinks it makes sense to open the schools to day care centers in the event of an emergency. That's why he started Project Safe Move.

"It makes great sense in many ways," Superintendent John Reinhart said during the school board meeting Tuesday. "Our schools during the day have personnel. We have telephone systems, messaging systems, nursing care and in many cases emergency water and food plus facilities that are designed for children."

He said the school district insurance coverage shouldn't be affected because the district already has similar arrangements with neighboring school districts, such as the Wilson Area School District.

He said the district could send a bus to pick up children forced to leave a day care temporarily. Parents would probably prefer children seek temporary refuge at a school compared to other options, he said.

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Reinhart said the plan is gaining traction and felt the school board ought to know he's working on it.

"As these conversations grow, I didn't want you to not be aware of what we're talking about," he said Tuesday. "I hope you support the idea."

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.

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