Effective immediately, our students, staff and community members will notice the presence of law enforcement in our schools throughout the instructional day, as well as before and after school. Their presence is not in response to a threat or an emergency situation.
The District is in the process of researching different options with regards to hiring armed School Resources Officers, private security and/or part-time retirees from law enforcement for the 2018-19 school year. During the exploratory period, the Catskill PD offered to provide us with additional support. As we refine the preliminary budget for the upcoming school year, the District will continue to monitor the progress on the School Safety Bill, that was passed by the New York State Senate on March 5, 2018. The bill was delivered to the state assembly for review and consideration. Districts outside of New York City would receive $50,000.00 in financial aid to establish a school resource officer program under education law.