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Board hears SSDS safety report and updates on security upgrades
Summary
District leaders presented the School Safety Data System report showing a three‑year downward trend in reportable incidents and outlined security upgrades including a new secure vestibule, a 10‑foot fence and closer collaboration with local police and the prosecutor's office.
The Hackensack Board of Education received a district School Safety Data System (SSDS) update Nov. 17 that showed a multi‑year decline in many reportable incidents and described several recently completed and planned safety upgrades. Nicole Adams, principal at Fairmount, told the board the SSDS report covers violence, harassment, weapons and other incidents that must be reported to the Department of Education and noted the district's training and prevention work.
"Our total incidents under SSDS for the entire 20 24, 20 25 school year was less than a 100, and other incidents leading to removal were a 115," Adams said as she reviewed a three‑year comparison chart showing downward trends across grade levels. Heather Coleman, the district's student assistance counselor and anti‑bullying specialist, detailed the trainings and programs captured in SSDS reporting, including universal SEL lessons, the Nurtured Heart approach and targeted after‑school interventions.
Ralph Dana, the district safety coordinator, reviewed physical and operational changes meant to reduce vulnerability, including a newly installed secure vestibule at Jackson Ave School, a 10‑foot fence behind the high‑school kitchen area and hourly perimeter checks at athletic events. Dana said the district has walked the high school with the Hackensack Police Department and the prosecutor's office to standardize vulnerability assessments that will be extended to other schools.
Board members and the acting superintendent praised the work while acknowledging limits on public detail for some alert and notification systems. The board did not take formal action other than to receive the report; staff said low‑cost to no‑cost improvements identified in drills and after‑action reviews will continue to be implemented.
