District lauded for response to perceived threat

The action of a student to let school officials know about a social media post perceived to be threatening has been recognized by the district’s insurance carrier as an example of what keeps a campus population safe.

A letter from Utica National Insurance was read during a Board of Education meeting Tuesday at which insurance agent Louis Casciaro said the district was being singled out for the company’s annual school safety excellence award.

“This honor ... recognizes school districts’ safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe,” he said.

Utica National, in the letter, lauded the district for going to police with information provided by the student.

“We want to extend our compliments and appreciation to your school district for taking the proactive steps to help prevent a possible tragic situation ... at Saugerties High School,” the letter states.

“We applaud the brave student and staff as well as the district’s vigilance in addressing the situation of keeping the school safe,” Utica National wrote. “It’s evident from this experience that you and your team are working collaboratively as a district as well as with local law enforcement to address these types of serious issues. We hope that other school districts can learn from your example of ‘if you see something, say something’ to help prevent possible violence in their schools.”

Saugerties school district Superintendent Seth Turner said the letter was appreciated and unexpected.

Saugerties High School senior Connor Chargois, 18, of 5 Sawyerkill Terrace, was charged on Feb. 27 with the felony of criminal possession of a weapon after an investigation by police into the social media posting.

Police said the postings praised Columbine High School killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold and that Chargois wrote he was “so full of rage ... nothing f—ing matters anymore.”

Chargois’ father, Bruce, 58, of the same address, was charged with the same felony, as well as the misdemeanor of obstructing governmental administration. Police said he initially denied having firearms in the house but later admitted weapons, including a 9mm Uzi and an AR-15 assault rifle, had been taken from the home to his place of business following his first conversation with investigators.

The teen and his father, whose cases are awaiting grand jury action, were charged amid heightened nationwide concern about school violence. The massacre at a Florida high school that left 17 people dead happened just 13 days earlier.

The name of the student who tipped off Saugerties school officials about the post has not been made public.