Parents urge Williamsville district to require notification when registered offenders are authorized on campus
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Summary
Parents called on the Williamsville Central School District to amend policy 7‑5‑60 so administrators must notify parents and staff when a registered offender is authorized on campus, and to adopt standardized authorization and annual training; the board referred the issue to its policy committee for review on March 31.
Jacob Wixom, a district parent, told the Board of Education on March 10 that the district’s execution of policy 7‑5‑60 on notification of registered *** offenders is “failing,” saying his interactions with administrators and local law enforcement show “a disturbing lack of awareness regarding the specifics of policy 7‑5‑60.” He urged the board to change the policy’s language from a discretionary ‘‘reserves the right to notify’’ to a mandatory ‘‘shall notify.’’
Another speaker, representing Christine Yang, told the board the district can adopt stronger local safeguards under state law (citing New York Education Law 2801) and outlined specific proposals: a clear presumption barring registered offenders from campus except for limited circumstances (for example, events involving their own child); mandatory advanced administrative approval and check‑in procedures; continuous escorts by staff or security when a registered offender is present; and active notification to parents and staff so families can make informed decisions.
Board President responded that the board’s policy committee will review policy 7‑5‑60 at a March 31 meeting and that the district will consult its attorneys. The president also said the district’s Megan’s Law webpage links to the Amherst Police Department offender listing and that the administration will consider whether additional steps are necessary.
The public speakers framed their requests as safety and transparency measures. Wixom argued that when administrators lack consistent understanding of the policy, ‘‘the rules effectively do not exist’’ and that notification is a basic duty to parents and staff. The community representative emphasized that notification and standardized authorization would not conflict with state law but would use district authority to set clearer local safeguards.
What happens next: the board’s policy committee will review the matter on March 31 and the district said it will consult legal counsel before any formal policy change. The speakers asked for annual staff training and a public protocol for written authorizations if exceptions are permitted.
