Keeping Our Hive Safe: District adds more safety measures for 2025-26 school year

During the 2023 through 2025 school years, the Baldwinsville Central School District ramped up security measures by adding weapons detection systems to every district building and ensuring that every school would have a school resource officer/special patrol resource officer. For the 2025-2026 school year we are adding even more measures to keep our students safe. 

New for the upcoming school year, all BCSD students will have an ID Badge, which they will receive on the first day of school.

Elementary students will attach their ID to their backpacks using luggage tags, which will be provided. Elementary IDs will be used for transportation purposes. Parents can track when their student gets on/off the school bus on the MyRide K-12 app. 

Secondary students will wear lanyards with their IDs. Secondary IDs will be used for transportation, in the lunch line, and in the library. Parents can track when their student gets on/off the bus on the MyRide K-12 app.

"Safety and security have always been top priorities for our district, and adding ID badges for all students is just another tool to keep our Hive safe,” said Dr. Joseph DeBarbieri, superintendent of schools. “We remain committed to a proactive approach by continually enhancing our safety protocols, upgrading infrastructure, providing ongoing staff training, and maintaining strong support through our school resource officers and special patrol officers.”

In addition to the ID badges, new security windows have been installed on the outside of the cafeteria at C.W. Baker High School and Durgee Junior High School has a new front entrance that includes enhanced security features. 

The 2024-25 school year was our first full year of having Weapons Detection Systems in each of our buildings. These systems are placed at the entrances of school buildings. All students, staff and visitors are asked to remove their metal items before walking through the device. 

“Our students and staff have adapted exceptionally well to the Weapons Detection Systems,” Dr. DeBarbieri said. “What once felt new has now become a routine part of our school day, and it's clear that everyone understands the importance of these measures in maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.”

The district is also proud to have nine school resource officers/special patrol officers in our district. Each of our eight buildings has their own officer and an additional officer has been assigned to our main campus to provide support at Durgee and Baker. The officers’ names and photos are featured in our district calendar on the September cover. 

“The safety of our students and staff is deeply personal to us,” Dr. DeBarbieri said. “We’re committed to listening to our families, staff and community, and we will continue to be as proactive as possible to keep everyone safe.”