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Watertown board holds public hearing and authorizes armed school safety officers
Summary
After a public hearing on June 16, the Watertown City School District board approved one-year employment agreements and firearm authorizations for several school safety officers, added a substitute SSO, and described required annual firearms and emergency-preparedness training.
The Watertown City School District Board of Education on June 16 held a public hearing on school safety officers and voted to approve one-year employment agreements authorizing named officers to carry firearms while on district property.
District staff explained that the school safety officer (SSO) program uses retired law-enforcement personnel — many of whom are retired state troopers or city detectives — to maintain a visible security presence, support building- and district-level safety planning, assist with emergency drills and preparedness, and serve as liaisons with local and state law enforcement. Staff told the board the officers attend annual firearms training and other SSO-specific training required by New York State.
Superintendent (speaking in the presentation) introduced incoming officer Shane Ryan, who will join the district in August, and noted Officer Paul Mendez will transition from state trooper to an SSO role and serve as a substitute for absences. The district said the substitute SSO contract is new for 2026–27 to provide coverage when an assigned SSO is unavailable.
The resolution presented to the board cited New York Penal Law §265.01A in explaining the legal basis for written authorization for firearms on school property and named the officers to be authorized. At the business meeting the board moved to approve the employment agreements and the firearm authorizations; the motion carried on a voice vote (tally not specified in the transcript).
Board discussion and staff remarks emphasized training, high-visibility campus patrol, and the officers’ role in emergency-preparedness planning. Staff also noted a change in training location (previously Milton, now closer to Rochester) and the timing of approvals so officers could attend required summer training before summer-school duties begin.
The board’s action authorizes the listed SSOs to possess and carry firearms on district property while performing duties as school safety officers, subject to revocation by the board. The board also approved the new substitute-SSO contract to broaden coverage. The board did not place roll-call tallies in the public transcript; minutes should be checked for vote counts and individual motions.
