We recently informed parents, faculty and staff, and our school community that a student was carrying a gun in a backpack at Mont Pleasant Middle School. On Tuesday, April 30, a student at Schenectady High School reported, after dismissal time, that there could be a weapon in a locker at Schenectady High School. While there was no direct threat in either of these incidents and a weapon was not found with the latter, they are both cause for concern. Our priority is always the safety of students, staff and visitors in our schools. As such, after every report of a weapon, threat or safety concern, we carefully review what happened, how we responded, what measures are in place and discuss what might need to change moving forward. We are asking for your input as we work to improve.
It might be helpful for you to know what process takes place when there is a report of a weapon or any type of threat to a person or our schools. With any report of a safety concern, a threat assessment is immediately conducted. Our safety team, which includes the Community Engagement Officers (CEOs) who are Schenectady Police Officers who work in our schools, are notified. Simultaneously, the administration and safety team implements an appropriate safety measure which is usually a lockout, lockdown or a hold in place. These measures are typically implemented to keep staff and students in safe locations while an active investigation is underway and/or while there is police activity within the school or outside in the school community. The police will most often advise what measure to implement and let us know when it is safe to lift.
Following the police investigation of both of the aforementioned incidents, we immediately communicated with all district staff and families the reports and outcomes.
While our safety team followed the appropriate safety process and procedure in both of these cases, we understand the looming concern among our school community is about students bringing weapons into school and what we can do to prevent that from happening.
Over the last two years, we have vastly enhanced safety and security across the district with secured entrances, implementation of an ID card system, cameras and video monitored surveillance and all doors are secured with alarm systems in an effort to keep doors from opening from within. We have increased the safety team membership in all schools. We have a strong partnership with the Schenectady Police and have CEO’s as a part of our team. We continue to encourage students to speak up when they see or hear something that seems suspicious and investigate every report.
At this time, we are asking for your thoughts and input regarding other measures, including security screening systems. Please share your thoughts by participating in a short and anonymous ThoughtExchange. Please select the survey below that applies to you. The survey will be open through May 29, 2024.