Parents express security concerns at Mattituck HS

School officials fielded concerns about security at Mattituck High School during a recent board meeting of the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District. 

Danielle Jacobs-Erwin, a mother of two students, expressed frustration at not seeing a security guard at the front desk when she visited the school three different times last week.

“The attendance office staff is now the first line of defense protecting the entrance to the school,” she said at the meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 18. 

Superintendent Shawn Petretti explained that officials had decided over the summer that personnel would be “much better utilized” walking the school grounds and buildings during part of the day.

This allows staff to look after students at recess, during gym classes and at the high school’s 26 different entrances, he said. 

Mr. Petretti declined to specify the placement of security personnel at the district’s schools, but invited parents to speak with him one-on-one about concerns they might have. 

Athletic director Greggory Wormuth was appointed the role of district security supervisor through Dec. 31 at the school board’s July 2 meeting. That role was previously held by Greg Spath, a retired police officer.

“He is incredibly familiar with the ongoings and activities that happen after school, which is a major security concern, and he has a lot of contact with our guards based on that,” Mr. Petretti said.

Mr. Wormuth previously served as head of security, according to Mr. Petretti. The superintendent said he was happy with how Mr. Wormuth’s appointment has shaped school security and added that “our security coverage has been excellent.”

Mr. Petretti also announced the hiring of two full-time security guards, Luke Bokina and Nicholas Pirro, at the meeting.

“Most of the people that you’ll see in and around our facilities in the evening are either off-duty or retired law enforcement,” Mr. Petretti said. “That is something that we absolutely look for when we’re hiring.”

Two school resource officers (SRO) from the Southold Police Department also lend their services to North Fork school districts on a rotating basis. Mr. Petretti said that both schools have an office where the SROs can do paperwork and have a presence in the buildings. 

Ms. Jacobs-Erwin bemoaned the departure of district security guard Sam Strickland, who resigned on Aug. 6. 

“He knows how to defuse a situation,” she said. “We felt safe seeing him and knowing he would protect our children. I want the board to know what a huge loss this is for our school community.”

Mr. Petretti said the district was sad to see Mr. Strickland go, adding the beloved guard left to “pursue a different career path.”

Another parent — Carly Lucarelli, a mother of two students in the district — pushed for the district to install metal detectors at the schools. 

“I get it that people complain about taxes going up,” Ms. Lucarelli said. “My kids’ lives, their kids’ lives are priceless.”