The Lancaster Central School District Board of Education opened the annual public hearing on the district’s draft 2025–26 districtwide safety plan and invited public comment.

Jamie Phillips, the district’s chief emergency officer, said the draft plan was posted to the district website on July 9, 2025, for a 30‑day public comment period and that tonight’s hearing fulfills the public participation requirement. “The district wide school safety plan is in accordance with Education Law 2801‑a and Commissioner’s Regulation 155.17 and is designed to prevent or minimize the effects of violent incidents and emergencies and to facilitate the coordination of schools and school districts with local and county resources,” Phillips said.

Phillips said the plan was reviewed by the district health and safety committee and that comments will be accepted during the hearing and through August 15, 2025. She said building‑level plans are being updated with the assistance of Alterra Safety Consultants and building safety teams. After the public comment period, the district will update the plan as needed, post the final version, distribute it to local law enforcement and emergency response agencies, and upload it to the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

No members of the public spoke during the hearing.