JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Sullivan West is beefing up its security in response to a recent threat against the school, an assault inside the school, and an environment that led school board member Brian Kitson to say, “I’m afraid we’re turning into ‘Fight Club.’” 

Kitson shared the safety concerns of the many parents and students who spoke at the March 21 school board meeting. Parent Kimberly Saul said security is often lacking at the elementary school. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office is contracted to provide security there, she said, but there were 25 days when the deputy was absent and an alternate deputy was not assigned.

“Almost all of these absences are scheduled, giving the sheriff’s department and the school district ample notice,” she said. “Why is the security of the elementary school not a priority?”

Student Landon Volpe questioned the school policy that forbids teachers from touching students involved in a physical altercation. He’d seen a video of an attack on a student. “The teachers were completely unable to protect her from the aggressors,” he said. “Simply putting yourself between two students is not enough to stop them from a physical altercation. Two students jumped another girl and they got around the teachers. She ended up with a huge cut on her head.”

Kristen Haltors is the mother of that student. “As you can tell, I’m very upset about this,” she said trembling, “Nobody told me what was going on. She had to go to the hospital and the police station. I just want communication to be better.” 

Haltors said her nine-year-old son in special education was assaulted twice in February, and that she is still afraid for her daughter’s safety. “I don’t have any confidence in her returning,” she said.

There was no mention of the threat a Narrowsburg man made against the school last month on social media, a matter that the board discussed at its last meeting in February.

A host of new measures

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bressler talked about the safety measures already in place in the district and proposed additional ones, including new protocols for events, requiring identification of all guests before they enter the school, routine exterior door checks, and new rules for picking up students.

Buildings are also being modified to include new signs reminding students not to open the door for anyone. Other signs direct visitors to a single point of entry. The cafeteria windows are being tinted so that people can see out but not in.

The school staff has been versed in new rules for recess and outdoor activities. Visitors will be escorted to their destination both coming and going. 

At the middle school and high school, the interior doors from the gym will be locked during special events.

The district brought back Anonymous Alerts—a confidential way to report bullying and other safety concerns—in the hope that students will report problems more readily if they don’t fear retaliation. The app is on the school website and posted throughout both school buildings with a QPR code.

“We’ve met with the sheriff’s office, and they’ll be holding an emergency special unit training in both buildings,” said Bressler. “We’ve had our first meeting with the Council for School Safety, and the sheriff’s office has offered to give us run/hide/fight training.”

In addition, the district is reviewing the costs and benefits of door prop alerts from Day Automation and armed guards from Atlas Security.