September 29, 2022
At a regular Board of Education meeting held September 26, 2022, the Delaware Academy Central School District at Delhi passed a measure to contract with Upstate Security Consultants (USC), an upstate New York company that works with local school districts to provide professionally-trained SRO’s specific to public school settings.
Representatives from Delhi Police Department and USC gave formal public presentations at the September meeting, with the Board ultimately awarding a 2-year contract with USC. Culminating from a series of formal discussions included on Board of Education agendas since August of 2022, a motion to act was carefully considered at length with a resolution adopted at the September meeting.
A familiar face and Delhi native, Mr. Alan Ferrara will serve as the DA Student Resource Officer and will begin his assignment within the District in upcoming weeks. Mr. Ferrara will become embedded within each of the District’s buildings working alongside District administrators, school counselors, and educators. Mr. Ferrara will be a highly visible plain-clothed fixture in classrooms, at events, and will become an essential asset within the fabric of the District by enhancing the overall safety of all through building relationships, providing guidance, and advocating accountability. Likewise, Mr. Ferrara will act as a professional resource, assisting with District initiatives to develop comprehensive safety planning.
“As a district, Delaware Academy consistently strives to achieve the highest levels of safety for both our staff members and learning communities,” said Kelly Zimmerman, Superintendent of schools. “Introducing a School Resource Officer is part of a broader strategic safety plan that demonstrates our commitment to that end. The Administrative team in conjunction with the Board of Education have engaged in a unified strategy to update our District safety protocols, and the welcomed addition of Mr. Ferrara exemplifies those efforts in light of the District’s Mission and Goals. We are encouraged that this addition will forge a pathway to a safe, modern educational landscape for everyone on campus.”
Beyond law enforcement, SROs also serve as educators, emergency managers, informal counselors, and provide positive role models for youth. Moreover, advantages of comprehensive on-campus School Resource Officer services provided by Upstate Security Consultants have garnered positive feedback from communities in several neighboring school districts including Bainbridge-Guilford, Chenango Forks, Greene, Maine-Endwell, and Unatego among others.
“Unatego Central Schools has had a School Resource Officer from Upstate Security since the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year and couldn’t be more pleased,” said Dr. David Richards, Superintendent of Unatego Central School District. “Having a well-trained, retired Law Enforcement Officer in our buildings makes them safer for the whole school community.”
Mr. Ferrara will begin his tenure as the Delaware Academy Central School District at Delhi School Resource Officer in October of 2022.