Board opens public hearing on 2025–26 safety plan; cardiac emergency response language added

The Elwood Union Free School District Board of Education opened a public hearing on Aug. 28 to review the district’s 2025–26 safety plan and received an administrative update on new state requirements.

Ms. Dunkel, speaking for the district safety committee, told the board that on July 24, 2025 Governor Hochul signed Disha’s Law, which takes effect Sept. 1, 2025. “This law mandates that school safety plans include a comprehensive cardiac emergency response plan,” she said, and the district has incorporated that language into its districtwide and building-level plans. Ms. Dunkel said that after the board’s approval the plan will be submitted to New York State before the Sept. 1 deadline.

The board opened and then closed the public hearing with no public comments recorded during the hearing. No final adoption vote on the safety plan is recorded in the transcript excerpt: the record shows the board opened the hearing, heard the district update, and then closed the hearing. District staff indicated their paperwork is in order for opening day and that documentation will be submitted to the state following board approval.

Board members present asked no substantive follow-up questions during the hearing. The safety committee had earlier asked staff to confirm that required documentation is complete and in compliance for the school-year start.

Because the transcript records the hearing and the administrative update but does not show a final adoption vote in the portion provided, this article does not report a board vote to adopt the plan.