TAMAQUA, Pa.—A northeastern Pennsylvania school district is exploring the idea of arming some school employees in the wake of last month's school shootings in Newtown, Conn.

Tamaqua Area School District officials have voted to look into the possibility, but say they first have to find out if it's legal. School board president Larry Wittig tells the Republican-Herald of Pottsville ( http://bit.ly/W6fH5b) that the talks are very preliminary.

Under the plan discussed by the board Tuesday, only administrators would know who was armed. The armed employees would be not only teachers, but qualified custodians, cafeteria workers, office staff and administrators.

Wittig said he would rather have armed employees than armed guards and metal detectors, which would make the school more like a prison than a learning institution.

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Information from: Pottsville Republican and Herald, http://www.republicanherald.com