The Utica School Board met for the first time Tuesday since the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida. On the agenda - school security.
UTICA, NY – The Utica School Board met for the first time Tuesday since the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
On the agenda - school security.
Utica school board president Christopher Salatino says parents have called him concerned about the safety of Utica schools.
He says the schools are safe, but adds that there is always room for improvement.
Proper training for security personnel, as well as students, was one of the areas discussed.
Salatino also proposed holding a summit with other school districts as a way to exchange ideas that will help keep the schools safe.
"It's important for all of us as school districts, as a school district family, to get together and share ideas with each other. Some of the ideas that we've done here and that they've done. It's also important to include law enforcement as well, State police, Utica Police, Sheriff’s department, even Homeland Security. Whoever can add value to protecting our children."
The summit is in the initial planning stages so no date for it has been set yet.
Any improvements to school security are likely to cost the district money.
That’s why the school board president, along with the superintendent and other faculty, are heading to Albany tomorrow to lobby for funding aimed at keeping students and teachers safe.