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Sachem details security upgrades and clarifies field-use, insurance and roster rules
Summary
Director of security Wayne Wilson reviewed expanded security staffing, a 24/7 command center and law-enforcement partnerships; board members raised questions about Policy 15 on facility/field use, the 90% residency roster rule and insurance requirements.
Wayne Wilson, director of security for Sachem Central School District, presented an update on district safety enhancements and procedures, telling trustees the district now employs 102 security officers (about 70% with prior emergency or law-enforcement training) and has invested in technology and partnerships to support schools.
Wilson said the district completed a district-wide threat and risk assessment by Lieutenant Joe Pangaro, who summarized to the board that the district "is a safe place" and that staff and administrators have embraced security improvements. Wilson outlined planned and implemented upgrades including interior doors with reduced glass and pull shades, upgraded PA systems to amplify lockdown notifications, increased camera coverage, license-plate readers and a staffed command center able to share live visual feeds with the Suffolk County Police Department.
In question-and-answer, board members raised several items connected to Policy 15 (building use). Wilson described the application and approval process: applicants must be Sachem residents, submit a roster, and the district applies a residency threshold (the transcript cites a 90% rule for events with 20 or more participants and 75% for smaller groups). He said the district prioritizes athletic teams, then buildings and district groups, and that profit-making events are restricted; liability concerns mean the district requires insurance certificates and waivers for outside groups. Wilson stated the recommended insurance minimum is $11,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.
Board members asked whether the board needs to review or streamline Policy 15, and some suggested moving the application online and adding an escalation path so administration can approve routine deviations. Wilson said he would prepare draft adjustments to present to the policy committee if the board wanted changes.
The board thanked Wilson for the briefing and asked staff to consider online application improvements, clearer escalation language for administrative approvals, and continued coordination with athletics and maintenance for scheduling and facility protection.
