Heights Schools Security Assessment Continues

Steps towards improving security at Hasbrouck Heights schools are still underway, according to school officials.

Board of Education President Joseph Rinke told parents last Thursday night the consultant firm, CDI, hired to assess school security measures continues with their work and some additional improvements have been made.

"They have been dilligently working, meeting with staff and administrators, overseeing drills and procedures," Rinke reported.

One recent change involves closing off the street in front of Lincoln School for the entire day where it used to be only during part of the day, he said.

The Board decided in February to hire an outside consultant to review security procedures and would make improvements based on those recommendations.

Following the Newtown, Conn. tragedy, the district immediately took measures to up security at all schools.

Lisa Castellano, a Euclid School parent, suggested to the Board on Thursday that security measures at the schools may have become "lax." She told the Board she understood that some visitors had recently found they were able to freely roam the halls upon their last visit without being signed in at the front desk.

She was concerned that the district was taking steps backwards instead of forwards when it comes to improving security.

Mark Porto, superintendent, reminded parents to alert him to any concerns such as this one so attention can be brought to the situation right away. He told parents to not hesitate and to reach out to him when in need of an update on the security situation.