Queensbury Union Free School District Hires New School Resource Officer

When students return to campus in September,  they will see a new face in uniform – retired NYPD lieutenant Robert Sannasardo will take on the role of School Resource Officer on September 5th, replacing Harry McDonald, who will be leaving the district.

Sannasardo will be joining George Carpenter as the second SRO at Queensbury Union Free School District. 

Sannasardo, 43, moved his family to Queensbury from New Windsor in July after retiring from the New York City Police Department… They moved to Queensbury for the school district and the number of after-school activities. 

He took a job as a bus driver for the district in October.: “I enjoy talking and interacting with the kids on my bus,” Sannasardo said. “I want to do more than just drive them to and from school, so I looked into becoming a school resource officer.”

Sannasardo has already formed positive relationships with the students on his bus route and with those he drives to sporting events. 

“I park the bus and I sit there and I cheer them on,” said Sannasardo, who also has two young children who attend Queensbury UFSD.

In his new role, Sannasardo will continue to build positive relationships with district staff, students and parents as he patrols school campus and responds to any emergency situations. 

He will be a liaison between the school and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, as well as a liaison for the school safety committee and part of the incident command structure, assisting with fire drills and lockdowns and walking the buildings looking for propped doors… His job, overall, will be to prevent or minimize dangerous situations. 

Sannasardo received training this summer, and will tour the 222-acre campus and its property lines. He will start the first week of school. 

“The safety of our students and staff is our No. 1 priority at Queensbury,” said Superintendent of Schools Kyle Gannon. “I am excited to bring Officer Sannasardo onto our team to ensure we continue to give our students a safe learning environment.”