Follow-Up | Horizons on the Hudson Emergency Response Protocol

We’ve received questions about the emergency response protocols initiated at Horizons on the Hudson on Friday, October 9th, 2026. Thank you all for reaching out. Student and staff safety is our highest priority, and we value you as partners in keeping our schools safe.

After reviewing the incident in full, I would like to commend the building principal, Ms. Tara Marshall, for being proactive in initiating a secure lockout protocol out of an abundance of caution. 

Inaccurate information about this situation is circulating on social media. Much of it misstates what happened and how schools are required to respond, despite making statements with feigned authority. 

Why was the secure lockout protocol initiated and why was it brief?
Staff saw police vehicles nearby responding to an issue and started a secure lockout protocol as a precaution. Under our protocol, any student outside is brought inside during a secure lockout protocol, which is what occurred on October 9th. The school leadership then contacted police, learned the secure lockout protocol wasn’t needed, and lifted it quickly.

How staff are alerted of standard response protocols
We use several ways to share safety messages:

• The PA system, inside and outside

• Walkie-talkies carried by staff on recess duty

• An optional phone app that sends all NECSD employees real-time building alerts

What the district said
The district never stated that students were not outside during the incident. The district’s Director of Communications clarified this with media who inquired. The official message sent to families that afternoon stated that anyone outside is brought in during a secure lockout protocol.

Who to contact with questions

• Your principal: day-to-day school operations

• Director of Safety and Security: security staffing and protocols

• Superintendent: overall district operations

• Board of Education: policy and budget

Every school in our district has a safety plan that is submitted to New York State. Each school has a required building-based emergency response team that meets regularly to review emergency response protocols and response. Students and staff take part in regular drills, as required by law, including [secure lockout, lockdown, and evacuation drills], so everyone knows our processes and protocols. Our staff is trained in these procedures, and we work closely with emergency services to plan and respond. 

Emergency response protocols are never final. The district takes these matters seriously and continuously reviews and improves our emergency response. Family feedback is part of how we improve, and the fastest way to share feedback or concerns is with your principal.

Our Director of Safety and Security will be sharing information about our emergency response protocols at the next Board of Education meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, October 27th, 2026.

Thank you again for your time, engagement, and commitment to our school community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell
Superintendent of Schools