Penfield Central School District holds public hearing on emergency response plan as residents press for clarity on security, training and firearms policy

Penfield Central School District Board of Education members held the required annual public hearing on the district-wide emergency response plan at their July 14, 2026 meeting. Ted Wilson, the district’s safety and security coordinator, presented the 2026–27 plan, described required elements and distribution to law enforcement, and said the district’s public plan is posted on the district website.

"Our district wide school safety plan is a public document and it's... posted on our district website," Wilson said during his presentation, explaining that building-level emergency response plans are confidential and shared only with law enforcement and appropriate staff. He cited state requirements, noting the hearing supports the district’s compliance with Education Law 2801‑a and related regulations.

The presentation reviewed multi-hazard procedures — lockdown, evacuate, shelter in place and secure lockout — as well as processes for relocation and reunification, record-of-distribution requirements to NYSED and local agencies, and the district’s obligations for annual review and a 30-day public comment period before adoption. Wilson said the plan must be adopted before Sept. 1 each year.

During board Q&A, administrators identified two law-driven updates included in this year’s revisions: measures tied to AED awareness and staff training (noted during the meeting as related to "Leandra's law") and other updates described as aligning with "Desha's Law." Administrators emphasized that building-level plans are intentionally confidential to protect sensitive operational details.

A resident who identified himself as James used the public-comment period to read a long list of specific questions about the plan. He asked whether the plan was authored by a single individual or a committee, which outside agencies were consulted (law enforcement, fire, EMS and Monroe County Emergency Management), whether disability advocates were included in planning, whether the district authorizes any employee to carry a concealed firearm on school property and what qualifications, training and oversight exist for armed personnel.

Administrator responses during the meeting emphasized the district’s distribution and review processes and said employee‑involved DASA (Dignity for All Students Act) matters involving staff are handled with legal counsel and human-resources involvement; student‑to‑student DASA determinations are made by building or district Dignity Act coordinators. Wilson said the plan is developed by building-level teams under the direction of the safety coordinator and shared with NYSED and local law enforcement for review.

Parent Nicole Felts described her experience arriving at the meeting where she was screened with a metal detector and wanded and contrasted that with a recent visit to an elementary school where she said a visitor was given a sticker and allowed entry without name verification. "It gave me an uneasy feeling," she said, and asked the district to ensure consistent visitor screening practices to keep students safe.

Another community member, Sarah Gardner, asked whether classroom and office doors across the district now have quick, keyless locking mechanisms; administrators invited written follow-up if she wanted additional detail.

What happens next: the district opened a 30‑day public comment period and invited written comments to District Clerk Lynn Scott by Aug. 13, 2026. Administrators said the board will consider adoption of the plan after the comment period and before the statutory Sept. 1 deadline.

Speakers quoted: Ted Wilson (district safety and security coordinator); Tasha Potter (superintendent); James (resident commenter); Nicole Felts (parent); Sarah Gardner (parent).