Locust Valley Central School District address safety concerns following gun threat
The Locust Valley Central School District is addressing heightened concerns about school safety following two recent gun-related incidents involving students. In separate occurrences, an 11-year-old reportedly threatened another student with a shotgun, and a 12-year-old made a shooting threat on TikTok. As a result, the district and community have renewed their focused on reinforcing security measures and building trust in school safety protocols.
Superintendent Kristen Turnow, who has been communicating with parents and staff since the incidents occurred, emphasized the district’s commitment to safety at a special Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.
“We take these incidents very seriously, and have zero tolerance for behavior that jeopardizes the safety of our students and staff,” Turnow said. “Our focus is not just on responding to these situations, but on preventing them through community collaboration and robust safety plans.”
The district hosted the meeting to address the community’s concerns and outline ongoing safety measures. Turnow and other administrators reiterated their efforts to foster a safe learning environment, highlighting the importance of community partnerships in maintaining school safety.
“See Something, Say Something is a core tenet of our safety strategy,” Turnow said. “We rely on the vigilance of our families, staff and students to report any suspicious behavior. Many times, it’s the parents or community members who bring concerning information to us, and we are grateful for that.”
District officials discussed their multi-layered safety protocol, which includes collaboration with the Nassau County Police Department, the work of school security personnel, and ongoing emergency-preparedness training. Turnow emphasized that procedures are continuously evolving to meet new challenges.
“We have safety plans at every school, mental health training for our staff, and multiple emergency drills each year,” she said. “We also have response teams in place at every building, and we conduct regular evaluations of our security practices.”
Administrators stressed that maintaining a safe environment is a collective effort that requires input from parents, students, staff and law enforcement. The district’s safety plan, posted on its website, is reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that it meets the latest state mandates and reflects best practices.
“Safety is our top priority,” Kathleen Reilly, the principal of Locust Valley Elementary School, said. “Our teachers and staff work hard to ensure that students feel safe in the classroom, which is crucial to their ability to learn and thrive. We conduct lockdown drills and evacuation drills regularly, and we work with law enforcement to make sure we are prepared for any emergency.”
At the middle and high schools, additional safety measures are in place, including student and staff ID checks, controlled-entry systems and visitor-management protocols. Michael Cestaro, the middle school principal, detailed these procedures at the meeting.
“When students arrive at school, they are greeted by staff and security personnel,” Cestaro explained. “We monitor who is entering the building, and all visitors must be vetted before gaining access.”
The district has increased its efforts to provide mental health support for students, recognizing that many behavioral issues stem from emotional or psychological distress. At the high school level, the district’s Pupil Personnel Services team regularly evaluates students’ social-emotional well-being and offers interventions where necessary.
“Our PPS team meets biweekly to discuss students’ academic, social and emotional concerns,” Cheryl Whiting, the K-12 Pupil Personnel Services coordinator, said. “We look at the data, evaluate our strategies, and adjust our approach as needed to ensure students get the support they need.”
Moving forward, the district is focused on fostering a culture of safety, openness, and accountability. Turnow has pledged to continue improving security measures, and to work closely with local authorities, parents and students to prevent future incidents.
“We are continuously learning and refining our practices,” she said. “These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of community collaboration and vigilance. We all have a role to play in keeping our schools safe.”
Parents and community members are encouraged to participate in the district’s safety initiatives and provide feedback on its safety plan. The next meeting of its Safety Committee meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9.
The district is also transitioning to a new communication app, Parents Square, which will allow officials to communicate directly with the community quickly and efficiently, Turnow also emphasized that she and district leadership were also looking into software or media that would allow students and parents to anonymously report potential threats to district staff.
“Our goal is to educate the whole child while ensuring their safety,” Turnow said. “Together we can create a secure and nurturing environment where students can thrive.”
