Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Levittown School District will become one of a growing number of Long Island school systems to employ armed security guards when students return to class this September, following a Board of Education vote to contract with a private security firm.
At a special meeting on June 24, the board approved an agreement with Ronkonkoma-based Covert Investigations & Security to station armed guards outside district school buildings beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Superintendent Todd Winch said the district expects the contract to cost approximately $900,000 annually.
In a letter to families sent June 25, Winch said the decision followed "a lengthy and thoughtful evaluation process" that examined the district's security needs and available options.
"While we all wish such measures were unnecessary, the Board of Education voted to approve this initiative following careful consideration of the district's safety needs and available options," Winch wrote.
According to the district, the armed guards will remain outside school buildings during the school day and will be prohibited from entering except in the event of an active assailant emergency. They will not take part in routine school operations, which will continue to be handled by the district's existing unarmed security staff.
District officials said the contracted guards will be former law enforcement officers who receive ongoing training in firearms proficiency, de-escalation techniques and active shooter response.
Levittown joins more than 20 Long Island school districts that have implemented some form of armed security in recent years. According to a district presentation citing a 2024 Newsday survey, neighboring Massapequa contracts for armed security, while numerous Suffolk County districts, including Commack, Connetquot, Farmingdale, Half Hollow Hills, Hauppauge, Kings Park, Mount Sinai, Smithtown and South Huntington, also utilize contracted armed guards. Other districts, including East Islip, Montauk, West Babylon and West Islip, employ armed district personnel.
District officials noted that additional Long Island school systems have adopted armed security since that survey was compiled, although some have not publicly announced the changes.
Winch said the district's latest security measure builds on investments made over the past decade, including security vestibules, upgraded doors, surveillance cameras, electronic visitor management systems, additional security aides and staff and student identification badges.
"Because Nassau County Civil Service does not offer an armed security title, districts seeking armed security must utilize alternative staffing models," Winch wrote. "As a result, we are joining neighboring districts and many others across Long Island in contracting with a private firm."
The superintendent said the district will continue coordinating with the Nassau County Police Department and Homeland Security on school safety and emergency response planning.
Officials said they will not disclose the number of armed guards or their specific assignments, citing security concerns.
"Our primary goal remains safeguarding our school community while preserving the educational experience," Winch wrote. "Your continuing partnership is greatly appreciated as we work together to prioritize the safety of our schools."
