Brentwood outlines 'preventative' safety and wellness plan: cameras, guards, restorative programs expanded

Brentwood Union Free School District on Oct. 9 presented a districtwide “Safe, Supported, and Strong” plan that pairs expanded security infrastructure with restorative and student-facing supports intended to prevent disciplinary incidents and improve student wellbeing.

At a public workshop, district leaders detailed new and ongoing measures: two security guards at every school building, camera replacements that McCray said are about 80% complete, a new visitor-management system, nonintrusive randomized safety searches intended not to disrupt instruction, and a newly formed fire-safety team and medical response unit. "We do have 2 guards at every building," Byron McCray, the district’s director of school safety, said, citing the staffing increases and other operational changes now in place.

The presentation emphasized prevention and connection over punishment. Assistant Superintendent Matthew Gengler framed the district’s approach as holistic and proactive, tying safety, discipline and wellness to the district’s Graduation Plus strategic goals. "We have a holistic approach where Brentwood Union Free School District prepares students for life beyond school through an integrated support system," Gengler said.

Wayne Abenez, the district coordinator of guidance K–12, described curricular and behavioral frameworks used across grades including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), classroom-based social-emotional learning, and the district’s participation in Start With Hello Week, which he described as "a national initiative by the Sandy Hook Promise." Abenez detailed school-based character education, teen- and child-safety curricula (aligned with Aaron’s Law), and guest speaker partnerships with local law enforcement and community treatment providers for substance-abuse prevention.

Amanda Chancing, the district DASA coordinator, outlined programs designed to build belonging and student leadership: peer mediation/upstander clubs, grade-specific "power of words" lessons, advisory-embedded restorative practices and a roster of six restorative coaches working across campuses. Chancing singled out a local advocate, Devon Moore, who will run an “upstander” program Oct. 20 and who she said helps amplify student voice in the district.

District officials described community referrals and partnerships that expand clinical and recovery supports. McCray and presenters named the EAC Network for substance-use counseling and 24/7 support, Phoenix House and Outreach House for treatment and outreach services, and Chance to Advance for mentoring and financial assistance targeted to homeless students and youth in group homes.

McCray also described operational safety changes: upgraded camera coverage to be completed by November–early December (he said cameras are roughly 80% replaced), rollout of a new visitor-management system planned before year’s end, installation of controlled-entry “people traps” at several buildings, and expanded safety audits using student-relations officers to identify blind spots.

The district has created a fire-safety team staffed in part by Brentwood and Bayshore fire department personnel to respond to hazardous-material incidents and structural damage; McCray said the fire marshal indicated the team’s response could prevent summonses for certain after-hours alarms. On medical readiness, McCray said the district will equip response vehicles with AEDs and first-aid kits that include Narcan and described a medical response team (nurse, CNAs, EMTs) to support multiple simultaneous incidents.

During a question-and-answer exchange a board member asked if first-aid kits that include Narcan also contain EpiPens. McCray replied that EpiPens are expensive to stock in every vehicle and that the district pursues grants to obtain them. "When I see grants available, I do work with Dr. Leon and also the director in trying to go for these grants," he said.

Board members expressed praise for the district’s preventive focus and sometimes pushed back at outside coverage that they said misrepresents the community. Several speakers argued the district reports incidents transparently while other districts may underreport; one board member summarized the local view: "We know that one student caught with a vape is too many," reflecting a focus on prevention and interventions rather than automatic suspension alone.

What’s next: officials said remaining camera and visitor-management work will continue through the fall and the district will expand referrals to community partners as needed. The workshop concluded at 7:36 p.m.; no formal votes or motions were recorded during the session.

Sources: Presentation and remarks by Matthew Gengler, Wayne Abenez, Amanda Chancing and Byron McCray at the Brentwood Union Free School District workshop, Oct. 9, 2025.