September 2, 2026
Dear Glen Rock Public Schools Families,
I am writing to share important information about a safety initiative our Board of Education has implemented starting this fall: the deployment of armed security guards in our schools. I know this topic generates strong feelings, and I want to be direct, transparent, and clear with you from the outset. The purpose of this letter is to explain the role of the guards, who we will employ as guards, and how they will be trained.
Security Guards
Beginning in September 2026, the District will employ a small number of carefully-selected, highly-trained armed security guards. In the event of a serious emergency, these guards will be prepared to respond and protect students and staff while local law enforcement is en route. In addition to this emergency response role, they will continue to provide security across our schools by checking identification at our buildings, supporting security at school events, and maintaining a visible presence throughout the school day.
Every security guard in this program is a retired law enforcement professional. Each guard:
Has retired in good standing in a federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency.
Holds a current New Jersey Retired Police Officer Permit to Carry, which is the only legal authority under state law that allows them to be armed in this role on school grounds.
Holds a current Security Officer Registration Act (SORA) certification through the New Jersey State Police.
Training
Before being assigned to any school, each guard must complete a training program that goes well beyond what is required of an armed guard in most settings. This includes:
Semi-annual firearms qualification and judgmental use-of-force training.
De-escalation, crisis intervention, and verbal intervention skills.
School-specific active threat response, including the nationally recognized ALERRT curriculum.
Stop the Bleed and other life-saving medical training.
Implicit bias and cultural competency training, refreshed every year.
We recognize that some of our families have children with special needs. Our approach to safety is designed to account for every student, with a security program that protects the entire school community while recognizing individual circumstances and abilities. For this reason, every guard assigned to a building serving students with disabilities will complete additional specialized training before beginning their assignment. This training will include:
Autism awareness for law enforcement, including curriculum recognized by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and Autism New Jersey.
Recognition of sensory overload, stimming, elopement, and the difference between a meltdown and willful misbehavior.
Communication strategies for nonverbal students and students who use assistive communication devices.
Strict compliance with New Jersey's regulations on physical restraint of students with disabilities (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.7). Restraint is a last resort, not a tool of convenience.
Coordination with each building's principal, child study team, and school nurse, so that guards are familiar with the needs of the students they protect—through proper channels and with full confidentiality safeguards.
Limitations of Security Guard Role
Guards in this program will not be used to discipline students, enforce the dress code, or monitor student behavior. They will not draw or display a firearm except in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. Their role is focused solely on safety and security, while our counselors, social workers, child study teams, teachers, and other trusted adults continue to provide the guidance and support our students need each day.
Oversight and Accountability
This program will operate under written protocols approved by the Board of Education and under the direct oversight of the District’s Director of Security. Every incident involving the drawing of a weapon or physical contact will be documented and reviewed. A standing oversight committee—including the Superintendent, Business Administrator, Director of Security, a building administrator, the Director of Special Services, and a community member—will meet quarterly to review the program. We will also operate under a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the Glen Rock Police Department, who remain the primary law enforcement authority on our property.
The Board of Education understands that the decision to arm District security guards is a significant one, and it was made only after careful consideration and thoughtful attention to the concerns and perspectives of our community. This was not a decision made lightly. The Board believes this additional layer of security is an important step in our responsibility to protect our students and staff while preserving the caring, supportive school environments our children deserve. At the heart of this decision is something we know we share with every family in our community: the belief that every child deserves to feel safe and known at school and have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive each day.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kenneth Rota
Interim Superintendent of Schools