Newburgh board adopts 2026–27 districtwide safety plan, adds elopement response

The Newburgh City School District Board of Education on July 14 adopted its 2026–27 districtwide safety plan following a public hearing and staff presentation.

Mister Sager, the presenter for the plan, told the board the document has been posted on the district website since June 2026 as required by state law and that this year’s substantive addition is a student elopement or wandering response developed with the deputy superintendent for exceptional learners. "We now have a plan in place to either prevent that, recognize those students that may have that tendency, and also to be able to respond to it," he said.

The presentation reviewed standard response protocols used in schools — evacuation, shelter in place, lockdown, hold in place and secure/lockout — and clarified how those actions differ. Sager said the district has expanded its safety team in recent years to include local fire departments, St. Luke’s public safety, county emergency management and BOCES so first responders and school officials share common, county‑wide maps and procedures.

During questions, a trustee asked whether the district has the resources to respond to the full set of incidents described in the plan. Sager said the district has increased capabilities over the past year and expects further improvements in the coming year. He also confirmed the plan will include newly produced Orange County standardized building mapping to assist first responders.

The board moved and approved the resolution to adopt the districtwide safety plan. The board also approved a separate resolution authorizing the superintendent to execute a contract with Raptor Technologies, both by roll call.

The adopted plan now will be posted as the official 2026–27 safety plan and used in training of building‑level emergency response teams and district responders.