2026-10-15: School Safety and Communication - Community Conversation

The Hyde Park Central School District community forum on school safety and communication, held October 16, 2026, reviewed the October 5 incident at Havlin Middle School, district and police response, and community concerns about campus access and timely notifications. District officials described plans to strengthen responses to unauthorized people on school grounds, improve radio communication between staff and buildings, provide additional situational training, and send families updates when incidents occur. A districtwide full-day security-guard training is planned for early November. Officials said concerns about building entry procedures, fencing or barriers, and other security measures would be reviewed by the district safety committee; no contract award, purchase approval, or formal vote was reported.

The forum also discussed adding school resource officers (SROs) at more schools. Officials estimated that staffing officers at elementary schools could cost more than $500,000, with additional cost potentially needed for pre-K coverage; possible phased staffing and use of county resources were raised, but no funding decision or commitment was made. Police reported 413 calls associated with Havlin Middle School from January 1 through October 15, 2026, including eight suspicious-person calls and one suspicious-vehicle complaint. The investigation of the October 5 incident remained active, limiting what police could disclose.