South Huntington holds public hearing on 2025 districtwide safety plan; draft enters 30‑day comment period

South Huntington Union Free School District officials held a public hearing July 8 on the districtwide safety plan and said the draft will be available for a 30‑day public comment period before the board must adopt a final plan by Sept. 1.

The presentation was made to the Board of Education by Edwin Smith, the districtchief emergency officer, who outlined legal requirements, the districtsafety‑team structure and the timeline for adoption and state reporting. "The districtwide safety team has met," Smith said, and "once this draft is approved tonight, it will go to a 30 day public comment period." He told the board the final plan must be submitted to the NYSCD portal by Oct. 1 if adopted on the proposed schedule.

The plan, Smith said, reflects required elements in education law, including the creation of districtwide and building‑level safety teams, policies to respond to implied or direct threats of violence, procedures for contacting law enforcement and families, and training and drill requirements. Smith described three layers of the districtsafety approach: armed security, daily safety officers and an evening security unit. He noted that building‑level emergency response plans are confidential and will include specific facility layouts, staff names and evacuation sites that the district will not disclose publicly.

Smith also briefed the board on drill expectations and a new statewide term. "The state is adding the secure lockout to make sure there's no confusion between the two," he said, distinguishing secure lockouts from lockdowns. He said the district conducts at least four lockdown drills annually, typically two unannounced, and at least eight evacuation drills per year.

Jim Beck, identified during the meeting as the districts director of security and safety, was recognized for his role coordinating communication among buildings and principals. Board members asked clarifying questions about where draft documents will be available; Smith said a copy will be kept with the district clerk for public inspection during the 30‑day comment period. He reiterated that building response plans remain confidential because they contain specific, sensitive information.

No formal adoption of the districtwide plan was recorded at the July 8 meeting; the board was presented the draft and held the public hearing. Board members were told the board will have the option to adopt the plan at its Aug. 20 meeting, with the district then making any required submissions to the state portal by Oct. 1 under the proposed timeline.

The hearing invited public and board questions; none were recorded in the transcript. The presentation and next steps emphasized compliance with state education law and protecting confidential operational details at the building level.