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Superintendent outlines expanded safety, mental-health and family-engagement steps for Saugerties schools
Summary
At the Jan. 13 Saugerties Central School District board meeting the superintendent detailed new and ongoing safety measures, expanded Aaron’s Law instruction for grades 9–12, increased trauma-informed training and mobile mental-health supports, and a new family learning webinar series.
The Saugerties Central School District superintendent told the school board on Jan. 13 that student safety and well-being remain the district’s highest priority and described a suite of measures aimed at strengthening prevention, response and support.
"Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of students and staff," the superintendent said, noting the district’s partnership with the Ulster County Special Victims Unit, Mobile Mental Health and trauma-informed-care experts. The district said it continues to staff Atlas security and a resource officer who checks in weekly with building leadership.
The superintendent said Aaron’s Law instruction — a required program on body safety and healthy relationships — has been expanded beyond the K–8 statutory base to include ninth through twelfth grades so older students "know what it is, they know their rights." The superintendent emphasized the program uses age-appropriate language and that the district informs parents.
On mental-health supports, the district reported mobile mental-health services were present on both staff and student opening days and that high-school counselors made themselves available over the summer; off-campus counseling was also offered to families who requested it.
District leaders described expanded professional training: 12 internal workshops on trauma-informed instruction and restorative practice have been provided, leadership staff receive year-long executive coaching, and building-level faculty received briefings to ensure secondary staff were informed about Aaron’s Law instruction.
The superintendent also announced a new family-engagement effort, the Sawyer Family Community Learning Series, with webinars on topics such as parenting children with ADHD (the next webinar is Jan. 27). "To date, we've had 59 parents and/or community members participate," the superintendent said, and staff hope to add in-person workshops later in the year.
The superintendent framed these steps as part of a broader effort to "rebuild trust and strengthen safeguards," and urged continued community partnership and staff diligence as the district pursues curriculum alignment, data-driven supports and a budget that reflects the stated priorities.
The board did not take formal action on the superintendent’s report beyond discussion; the meeting proceeded to routine personnel and business items before moving into executive session.
