To describe the security and safety advances made by the Newark Central School District during the last five years as anything short of extraordinary would simply be incorrect and a great disservice to many individuals who have worked tirelessly to ensure students and staff are kept safe.
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Truly no other conclusion could honestly be drawn after listening to a comprehensive, 90-minute presentation at the May 6th Board of Education meeting by those spearheading the complex, district-wide upgrades in technology, policies and practices that have been put in place since 2021.
Even more extraordinary is the fact that while the NSCD is a verified forerunner in the region and the state in terms of its advancements in student and staff safety and school security, BOE members are fully on board with the district’s ongoing continuance of monitoring, for absolute effectiveness, and refinement of the new systems as indicated.
Evidence of that is its green light of recent attendance by a few key personnel involved in these efforts at a state-of-the art, three-day National Student Safety & Security Conference and Workshop.
NOTHING is more important to parents than the safety of their children and the district is doing everything in its power to ensure that, Superintendent Susan Hasenauer said at the beginning of the presentation.
That has been her main goal since becoming superintendent of the NCSD in February of 2021 after the district had weathered a few unsettling storms in its not-too-distant past that pointed to a great need for policy, practices and technology improvements related to school safety and security.
Right at the outset of her tenure here, Hasenauer said both parent and staff input emphatically reflected a great need to “rebuild their trust around safety and security.”
So, the essential question became “How can we proactively enhance school safety and security through a multi-tiered holistic approach?”
Hasenauer took the charge seriously and hasn’t stopped.
She said these improvements have required the work of many individuals dedicated to the cause. She credited the team of Jose Otero, Director of Security, Julia Solan, Director of Family and Community Engagement, School Resource Officer Nick Fera, a Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy and Jack Freer and Mike Isher, Co-Directors of Information Technology for being leaders in these critically important efforts along with other district administrators and staff _ who have all contributed to making highly effective changes.
“We could not do all that we have done so far without the work of all of these individuals,’’ Hasenauer told the BOE.
The Superintendent’s talk accompanied a PowerPoint presentation and one of the slides highlighted some 35 safety and security-related improvements made since 2021 in the areas of communication, systems and structures and IT collaboration and interoperability.
What followed were individual explanations, slides and videos of work done by Solan, Otero, Freer and Ishler and others to make the changes.
BOE President Russ Harris aptly highlighted the entire presentation in BOE notes to staff the following day.
“With approximately 1,800 students across five buildings and an increasingly diverse and mobile population, the district has implemented a proactive, multi-tiered approach to ensure both physical safety and a supportive social-emotional environment. This work aligns directly with the district’s strategic priority around culture and climate.
“District leaders outlined four key areas driving this work: communication, systems and structures, professional development, and collaboration,” Harris continued. “Early efforts focused
on strengthening policies, improving communication through tools like ParentSquare, and implementing the Safe School Helpline to allow for anonymous reporting of concerns. A district-wide threat assessment process was developed, with trained building and district teams working collaboratively to identify, assess, and support students of concern using a structured, research- based model. This includes ongoing monitoring and coordination with community agencies to ensure appropriate interventions are in place.
“Significant investments have also been made in physical security and staffing. The district expanded from a single security presence to a comprehensive team that includes a Director of Security, a School Resource Officer, and both armed and unarmed guards across all buildings. These staff not only enhance safety but also build relationships with students. In addition, emergency response systems have been modernized with expanded safety plans, real-time communication tools, and direct integration with the 911 Center. Technologies such as the TAP App and 4DScape now allow for immediate alerts, live camera access, and rapid coordination with law enforcement, with some notifications occurring in less than two seconds.
“A highlight of the presentation was the District’s Command Center, which allows centralized monitoring of all buildings, cameras, and security systems in real time. This system includes over 400 cameras, door monitoring alerts, license plate readers, and AI-supported tracking, significantly enhancing situational awareness and response capabilities. Supporting infrastructure improvements include upgraded servers for extended video storage, standardized camera systems, secure entry access points, and strengthened cybersecurity protocols.
“The district has also emphasized restorative practices and student support systems as part of its safety approach. Programs such as the alternative to suspension model, the Reds Room, and restorative conversations with families aim to keep students engaged in learning while addressing behavioral and emotional needs. These efforts have contributed to measurable outcomes, including reductions in discipline referrals, increased perceptions of safety among staff and students, and more effective responses to incidents.
“Looking ahead, the district plans to continue refining its systems by enhancing the threat assessment model, improving reunification procedures, exploring additional safety technologies such as weapons detection, and strengthening student accountability measures. Ongoing training and system improvements remain a priority to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.”
At the end of the 90-minute presentation, the presenters answered a few questions from BOE members.
“We’ve very proud of what we’ve done,’’ Hasenauer said in conclusion. “But we are not going to stop here. We know nothing is infallible. But we do feel we are very well prepared in the event a critical incident were to occur.”
As the parent of two daughters, Hasenauer fully understands that parents send their children to school each day trusting the school district to keep them safe and send them back home.”
The BOE obviously agrees.
In his final statement in his BOE notes, Harris wrote:
“The Board expressed strong appreciation for the collaborative work of the safety, IT, and administrative teams, noting that the district has become a model for others in the region. The presentation reinforced that while systems and technology are critical, it is ultimately the people—especially during Teacher Appreciation Week—who make schools safe, supportive, and successful for every student, every day.”
Watch the entire “Student Safety and School Security from Foundations to Futures - Advancing School Safety Districtwide” presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/live/UqukIL_3Qsc