Little Britain Elementary School (photo: Daniel Case)
WASHINGTONVILLE – When the Washingtonville Central School District
begins classes Wednesday, all five school buildings will have armed police
officers.
Washingtonville Village Police will staff the high school, middle school
and Taft Elementary School.
Blooming Grove Town Police will staff the Round Hill Elementary School
and Little Britain School will be staffed by a New Windsor police officer.
Superintendent of Schools Roy Reese said the district previously had unarmed
security guards in the buildings, but based on discussions with the community,
the district decided to arrange the armed officers with the local police
departments.
Reese acknowledged there have been credible threats made against the district.
In June, Brendan Vaughan, an 18-year-old Washingtonville High School student,
allegedly made what authorities said were credible threats.
The arrangement for armed officers in the Little Britain School was announced
on Tuesday by Reese and New Windsor officials. Police Chief Robert Doss
said one officer will be on duty in the first half of the school year
and a second officer will take over during the second half of the year.
The primary role of the officers will be the security of those in each
building and not have the same function as a school resource officer or
a DARE officer, Doss said.
