Dear Whitesboro Community,

As you may already be aware, on Saturday, September 9, a Utica City School District school security staff member was critically injured in a shooting that took place at a Thomas R. Proctor High School varsity football game. Although an arrest has been made, the Utica City Police Department investigation into the shooting is still on-going.

The thoughts and prayers of our region’s schools and communities are with the Utica City School District, the security officer and the Utica community during this difficult time. The safety of our students, staff and community are paramount to the Whitesboro School District. Like all school districts in New York state and throughout our region, the Whitesboro School District has a District-Wide School Safety Plan and Building Level Emergency Response Plans, which define how the District and all of its buildings respond to acts of violence and other disasters through prevention, intervention, emergency response and management. The District regularly reviews and updates these plans and procedures, while also pursuing the implementation of improved safety measures.

In the days ahead, counselors and social workers will be available to support the mental health and social and emotional wellness of both staff and students. Please contact your building principal if there is anything we can do to further support you at this time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian Bellair

Superintendent of Schools