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District safety committee discusses cardiac response, SRO expansion and license-plate-reader pilot
Summary
The district's safety committee reviewed updates to the safety plan addressing cardiac arrest response, discussed training needs for before- and after-school events, reported plans to expand school resource officers to two elementary schools, and affirmed exploring use of Smart Schools Bond Act funds for license-plate-reading cameras.
The Wappingers Central School District's district-wide safety committee reported on Oct. 20 that it has been updating the district's safety plan to incorporate cardiac arrest response protocols and is continuing a discussion about training staff and community partners for before- and after-school events.
Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Technology Darren Lokema told the board the committee reviewed the law referenced in the meeting (transcribed as the "DESHA law") and discussed updates needed for the district-wide safety plan to address cardiac arrest. Lokema said the committee identified training needs for staff who support events outside regular school hours and emphasized informing community-based organizations about emergency instructions while on school property.
Lokema also reported the district is pursuing expansion of the school resource officer (SRO) program, adding SROs at Gayhead Elementary and Myers Corners Elementary and continuing partnerships with municipalities to consider additional schools. The committee affirmed continuing to explore using Smart Schools Bond Act funding for license-plate-reading cameras at additional school sites; Lokema said the committee supported that recommendation and will continue work on that proposal.
Separately, Dutchess County BOCES representative Mister McFarland reported that BOCES has hired a full-time security agency to supplement its single SRO on a large campus, and that the arrangement has been working well to date.
The safety discussion was informational; no binding policy changes or procurement approvals were recorded at the Oct. 20 meeting.
