The Glens Falls Middle and High schools initiated lockdown procedures Wednesday morning. Around 10am, a student at the middle school reported to one of the district’s social workers that they had seen what appeared to be a gun fall out of another student’s backpack. The middle school and adjoining high school both entered into a lockdown immediately thereafter. 

Glens Falls Police then reported to the scene as school administrators identified and located the student in question. The student was found to be in possession of a replica gun inside their backpack, and was then taken into police custody and removed from the building. The lockdown was lifted at 11:05 a.m., however the middle school continued to shelter in place as police and administrative staff investigated further.

This follows a similar incident that took place last week, in which the Glens Falls School District entered lockdown after a student engaged in a physical altercation with school staff, resulting in a BB gun falling out of the student’s backpack. In response to these two incidents, the school district announced that starting today, a bag check procedure will be instituted for any and all students entering the high school or middle school buildings. 

This procedure will reportedly require students to place any bags or backpacks on a table at the entrance door, where a member of school staff will search through the contents of the bag before allowing the student to proceed into the building. If any student is found to be in possession of any items prohibited by the district’s code of conduct, such as drugs or a weapon, the item will be confiscated, and the student will immediately be subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures outlined by the code of conduct.

As these new procedures and security measures are implemented, the school prepares students, as well as their parents, guardians, or other community members to see an increased presence of law enforcement on school grounds. 

Other new security measures were already being introduced to the school following the first incident last Thursday. In a Board of Education meeting Monday night, some of these measures were discussed, including a “See Something, Say Something” anonymous tip line that can be accessed via phone, email, or even a Google Form accessible from the school’s Chromebook computers. 

The district will also no longer allow students to carry their backpacks between classes: they will need to be stored in the students lockers throughout the day. Safety drills will be regularly conducted, potentially including police K-9 sweeps of hallways and lockers.

The school is currently in the process of filling a Safety Monitor position, and will also be issuing identification cards to all middle and high school students. They will also be installing the Raptor Visitor Management system within the buildings to quickly scan the driving licenses of all visitors to run an immediate sex offender registry search, and print photo visitor badges.

The school also encourages staff, students, parents, guardians, and community members to attend a meeting at the High School auditorium this Friday at 6 p.m. where any further action will be discussed.

The first day of class at Glens Falls High School yesterday was shaken up by an altercation between a student and school personnel.

According to the school, at approximately 11:20 a.m. the student was getting lunch in the cafeteria when a staff member ordered him twice to leave the building. It is currently unknown what prompted this initial command. As the student exited the building he damaged school equipment, and was subsequently directed to vacate the campus entirely.

The student then walked around the building to a locked side entrance, and knocked at the door until another unknowing student let him in. Upon re-entering the building, the student put on a face mask before instigating an altercation with a hall monitor and the school’s principal.

During the altercation, a BB gun fell out of the student’s backpack and onto the floor. The school’s resource officer then called the Glens Falls Police Department to report the incident, and requested assistance in removing the student from the campus. 

A lockout was issued by the school as soon as the conflict began. The adjoining district middle school entered a shelter-in-place procedure at the same time. Most of the high school’s students remained outside the building until the situation was resolved. At 11:51 a.m., the lockout and shelter-in-place were both lifted, and students returned to their normal class schedules.

In accordance with the school district’s code of conduct, disciplinary action for the student is already underway.

In a statement on the school’s website, Superintendent Dr. Krislynn Dengler wrote that the incident “underscores the need for students and staff alike to maintain the security of external doors, which includes leaving them closed in their locked position at all times.” She also requested that parents have conversations at home with their children about keeping a secure environment at school.

The leaves on the trees along Quade street were showing the first hints of fall. The summer was winding towards its inevitable end.  Attention naturally turns to the beginning of the school year, Glens Falls High School will see new faces in some of its top administrative positions. Among the new arrivals Shane Jones will be Athletic Director. He is taking over the position from recently retired Chip Corlew. Jones is open about replacing someone who had filled the position for almost two decades. “ I have big shoes to fill.” He said with an apprehensive smile. “But, Chip has been a great friend. He has been available to me anytime I need clarification on an issue. He is someone that I look up to and he has built a strong culture here.”

Corlew’s involvement in the transition has helped Jones immensely. “We have worked together to make the transition seamless. And expectations are high.” Jones said as he sits behind the desk of the office he is still moving into.  “I started July first. It’s been a quick turn around.” Although Jones is confident in the program that he is taking over, there are changes he would like to make. “We would like to increase our social media presence, and find ways to highlight student achievements both on and off the field.”  He said.

Jones, originally from Hudson Falls, is happy to have settled back into an area that is familiar. He knows the importance of the support that is offered by the Glens Falls Community.  “The Grandstanders are awesome.” He said.  They are the booster club that helps support the Glens Falls athletic program. They are a celebrated volunteer workforce raising money helping to provide quality experiences for student athletes. 

Jones is happy with the participation in fall sports for his first year. “Of the seven fall sports that we have, only field hockey had to drop its J.V. program because of low participation.”

As the interview drew to a close Jones remarked on how exciting it would be to have the kids back in the facility. “It’s a bit spooky around here with the hallways quiet and the lights off.” He joked as he led the way through the darkened offices. After the interview Jones was heading over to the fields to watch the pre-season practices.