Yorktown School District to Increase Security Measures

The Yorktown Central School District is implementing new measures to increase security throughout the schools. Those changes will be effective on Monday, Feb. 11, Assistant Superintendent for Business Tom Cole said.

"There will be a new team of school monitors in every building across the district," Cole said in a letter posted on the school district's website on Wednesday.

In the elementary schools, monitors will perform as greeters in the lobby areas. They will be responsible for screening visitors to the buildings and providing a constant presence throughout the entire time that students are in the building during the school day. 

Similarly, there will be monitors in the high school and middle school lobbies. There will also monitor the parking lot areas of the high school and middle school and around the perimeter of those buildings, Cole said in the letter. 

"Each of the monitors has prior experience in law enforcement, active military duty or prior security responsibilities," he said.

Cole said the monitors will be trained in the school district's emergency response and visitor policy protocols by its emergency response consultant, Comprehensive Solutions, LLC. 

There will be some changes to the school district's school visitor policy. Changes to the student pick-up and departure policy will be communicated to parents and guardians by the school principals.

In early March, the district's security consultant, Michael Dorn of Safe Havens International, will evaluate the changes school officials are making and provide input into how their new monitors are being utilized," Cole said.

"We may modify our approach based on his report," he said. "As we go through this transition of personnel and protocol we ask for your patience and understanding. Remember that our goal is to keep our schools safe and accessible. Your participation and cooperation are critical."

Read the school district's safety website for more information. 

What do you think of those changes? 

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