Bedford Central May Hire Security Group, Monitors

The Bedford Central School District is in the process of finalizing a request for proposals for a private security firm for the areas of its schools.

Jere Hochman confirmed the plan to Patch and also said that Fox Lane Middle School would get campus monitors, in addition to ones who already work at Fox Lane High School.

The security firm can be brought on even if is not agreed to, Hochman explained, according to a video of Wednesday's school board meeting.

When asked whether the district would use the $200,000 in fund balance that the school board authorized to spend at a meeting earlier this month on security, for the purpose of paying for the towns' police presences, Hochman wrote the following response:

"While I see both sides of the argument, I believe it is the Town and Village responsibility to provide police presence in public spaces.  Still, if that is not feasible, I will use district funds to provide perimeter supervision and deterrence for the remainder of the school year.  By then, the district’s Safety Committee will have recommendations for the future."

Having more people near the schools for security purposes has been discussed for the remainder of the current school year.

Bedford Supervisor Lee Roberts and Mount Kisco Mayor Michael Cindrich have both acknowledged the district's request. Hochman told Patch that he has not heard from Pound Ridge Supervisor Gary Warshauer, but that he is in touch wtih Pound Ridge Police Chief David Ryan.