School Safety and Security Policies and Procedures

Hilton Central School District's Security Department and youth assistants monitor the safety of the school campus everyday.  The issue of safety and security of students has taken on new dimensions in the post-Columbine and post September 11 school environment. New York State Education Department and the N.Y.S. Legislature have renewed efforts to strengthen safety and emergency planning on the part of all school districts in the state as well as increase penalties for crimes such as calling in a bomb threat to a school. Director of Security is Steven Lemon may be reached at Hilton High School - 585-392-1000 ext. 2337.

Code of Conduct - The Safe School Against Violence in Education [SAVE] and Section 100.2[1] of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education require that each school district adopt a written policy on school conduct and discipline "designed to promote responsible student behavior."  Each year a public hearing is held in June after which the Hilton Board of Education re-authorizes a K-12 Code of Conduct.  The Code of Conduct applies to all students, school personnel, parents and other visitors when on school property or attending any school function.  Code of Conduct is online.

Email Emergency Messaging from Superintendent of Schools  EdAlert is a service that allows Parents, Students, Faculty/Staff and Community Members to sign up to receive e-mails on school related information. Emergency information may be sent to the indicated emails. In addition, subscribers may opt-out of EdAlert by revising information. For more: EdAlert

Emergency School Closing Procedure The Hilton Central School District will contact the local media when bad weather or any other emergency situation forces the closing of district schools, the information will be communicated as soon as possible to both TV and radio media including R NEWS CH 9; WROC TV-8; WHEC TV-10;WHAM TV-13; FOX News; WHAM 1180-AM; etc. A message is also placed on the District¹s Main Telephone Number voicemail message, 585-392-1000, as soon as possible. The decision to close school in weather-related situations will normally be made no later than 6:30 a.m. in most cases, prior to the school buses being sent on the road. Most TV and radio stations carry school closing information. When schools are closed for weather-related conditions, all other activities including interscholastic sports; YMCA Child Care; sports practice, athletic events; Aquatic Center, student activities; Community Education; and community-related classes and activities may be cancelled. Cancellation information is included on the 585-392-1000 message for the day.  

Early Dismissal . . . Have a Plan in Place and Be Sure to Communicate this to your Children  In the event of an early dismissal of students during the school day due to loss of power, loss of water, or other emergency situation, there are procedures in place to transport students home. This information will be communicated as soon as possible to both TV and radio media. A message is also placed on the District Main Telephone Number, 392-1000. Each year parents indicate a course of action to be taken on the Emergency Closing Data Card which is completed for all K-6 students, and updated every year for grades 7-12. This will assist you and the schools in making appropriate plans for each child. Please take this opportunity to talk to your child. Make sure your child knows where to go in your neighborhood if the parent or caregiver is not at home.

AMBER Alert - Child Abduction   CODE AMBER INFORMATION The AMBER Plan is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies and broadcasters to disseminate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child abduction cases.  The Hilton School District will cooperate with law enforcement and broadcasters in the case of a child abduction: Amber Alert. Law enforcement and broadcasters use the Emergency Alert System (EAS), formerly called the Emergency Broadcast System, to air a description of the missing child and suspected abductor.  The goal of the AMBER Alert is to promptly involve the entire communities to assist in the search for and safe return of abducted children.   TO REPORT INFORMATION TO THE HILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT ABOUT AN AMBER ALERT ABDUCTION: 392-1000 ext. 2337 during school hours.  AFTER SCHOOL HOURS: 911. N.Y.S. Amber Alert Information

Penalty for False Bomb Threat to Schools  As of 1999, NYS made it a Class E felony for anyone to issue a false bomb threat directed toward a school in New York State.  This law also includes the crime of falsely reporting an incident of an explosion, fire, or the release of a hazardous substance.  Individuals convicted of issuing a bomb threat face felony criminal prosecution, as well as a one-year suspension of their driver's license.  Persons may face youthful offender or juvenile delinquency adjudication.  This new law directs that any bomb threat or falsely reporting an incident unrelated to school grounds is now a Class A misdemeanor. Related legislation was passed permitting municipalities, fire districts, and other emergency service providers to seek restitution costs associated with their response to a bomb threat on school grounds.  The legislation allows for up to $10,000 in restitution to be paid by any individual convicted of reporting a false incident or bomb, and up to $5,000 to be paid by the parents of a child who makes a false report. Parents may make a hardship application to the Court for judgments over $500. This law took effect in July 1999.

New York State’s Sex Offender Registry   The NYS Sex Offender Registry helps protect families and communities by requiring sex offenders to register, and providing this information to law enforcement and the public.  Sex offenders are classified by risk level: Level one (low risk); Level two (medium risk); and Level three (high risk). Web page: NYS Level Three Sex Offender Registry

Video Surveillance  The Hilton School District and Board of Education continually review practices and procedures from the perspective of building safety and security; student management; and presence of security personnel.  The Hilton Board of Education approved a policy for using video surveillance in school buildings.

Director of Security is Steven Lemon may be reached at Hilton High School - 585-392-1000 ext. 2337.