School safety is a top concern for parents around the country as we recover from not only another tragic school shooting, but a string of senseless mass shootings around our country.
At Valley Central, a recent threat made by an elementary student has brought the discussion of school safety to the forefront. Interim Superintendent Michael Bellarosa has made school safety a priority on his agenda for this summer as we get ready for the next school year. Bellarosa describes interlocking components of school safety that need to be addressed simultaneously: an on-site position that oversees security for the entire district, technology, and coordination with municipalities.
On-Site Position
The 2022-23 Budget contained funding for a Director of Safety position. Once the budget was passed, our Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, William Miller, began the process of obtaining a Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness. This position is a 12-month, full-time Orange County Civil Service Position and will report directly to the superintendent. This Director will be dedicated totally to safety and emergency preparedness throughout the District. Applications are currently being accepted and interviews are being arranged.
The District has had SRO’s at our HS and MS provided by the Town of Montgomery and at Montgomery Elementary School provided by the Village of Montgomery. Additionally, our schools have hall monitors and greeters who screen and monitor visitors.
The Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness will oversee the coordination of SRO positions and agreements and the training of hall monitors and security personnel in the district. The position will also oversee the District Health and Safety Committee which meets four times a school year. The position will work with the District Safety Coordinator, (Berea Principal John Solimando has been appointed for the 2022-2023 school year) who is responsible for the District Safety Plan which is published on the website:https://www.vcsd.k12.ny.us/about-us/reports-policies-and-procedures/district-safety-plan/
The plan is updated annually and filed with NYS. It addresses school safety in terms of prevention, intervention, response and recovery. The specifics of building emergency response are referred to but not listed in an effort to keep detailed information contained from anyone who may be seeking such information to aid in harming our schools.
Technology
Interim Superintendent Bellarosa has asked our Director of Technology, Christopher Mohr , to update him and the Board of Education on the status of the Smart Schools Plan in regard to security (https://www.vcsd.k12.ny.us/departments/technology/ ). Specifically, Bellarosa has asked for information regarding the recent law signed by Gov. Hochul which encourages school districts to consider the use of panic alarm systems, “ when developing their district-level school safety plans, and expressly authorize their inclusion within building level safety plans. The panic alarm systems themselves can cost just a few thousand dollars to purchase, and can be implemented in the classroom as a smartphone app.” (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-alyssas-law) Bellarosa has also asked Mohr to research other technology based security measures (“Zero Eyes was referenced at the July 6th BOE meeting https://zeroeyes.com/education-security/ ), and their usefulness/reliability, that are being employed by public school districts locally, around the state and the nation and provide a report to his office and to the BOE.
Coordination of Municipalities
Town Supervisor Brian Maher proposed a plan to have the Town of Montgomery provide SRO’s for all our school buildings this past June. Interim Superintendent Michael Bellarosa has met with Supervisor Maher and Deputy Supervisor Ron Feller to discuss this proposal and additionally, is in the process of meeting with officials from all municipalities in the district.
Orange County Supervisor, Steven Neuhaus is hosting a School Safety Roundtable on Friday, July 15 at the OC Emergency Services Center to provide an opportunity for public and private school leaders to meet with OC Sheriff Carl DuBois, Area Law Enforcement officials and County Emergency Services Staff to “present an opportunity for key players to come together to discuss safety plans in the hope that all OC schools will be ready for any potential threats/situations that may arise” (Steve Neuhas, June 28, 2022). Neuhas expressed the hope that such discussions will reveal best practices and provide an opportunity for shared suggestions. Building Safety Plans, Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS Collaboration, Drills and available resources will be discussed. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, William Miller, will be representing Valley Central at this meeting Once the Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness is hired and approved by the BOE, they will be briefed and would attend any future meetings for the District.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Marianne Serratore reported at the July 6th BOE meeting, that she reached out to the Town of Montgomery Police Department to provide a police presence as the district conducts summer school/enrichment programs at three of our elementary schools and our middle school/high school campus this summer. The TOM Police Department told the District that the Police Department would do their best to meet this request.
Ongoing Focus on Mental Health
Lastly, it is imperative that the mental health crisis facing students continues to be addressed. The District has added psychologists and school assistance counselors with the COVID assistance funds and has continued to provide programs throughout grade levels such as the Mental Health Initiative and the Yale RULER and Check and Connect to focus on the social-emotional aspect of learning.
“It is imperative that the Valley Central School District can provide assurance to our community that the safety and well-being of our students is an utmost priority.” Bellarosa states. “We need to be committed to being prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of any emergency and its aftermath and especially committed to implementing improvements as quickly as possible. I believe that the best way to accomplish this is through a unified effort involving all of the talented agencies and leaders in the Valley Central Community. We need to commit to do our absolute best to work together for a common purpose. There is nothing more important than the safety of everyone – especially the children and families in our community.”