CLARKSTOWN, NY (Rockland County) — At 9:02 AM, the Clarkstown Police Department responded to the Jesse J. Kaplan School located at 65 Parrott Rd. in West Nyack for a report of a teacher’s aide possessing a firearm on school grounds.
The Clarkstown Police School Resource Officer made contact with the school principal to ascertain the facts. After brief interview with principal, it was determined that a teacher’s aide was carrying a loaded firearm in her handbag.
The SRO secured the weapon and ensured there were no further concerns for student’s safety.
The investigation is ongoing by the Clarkstown Detective Bureau.
Police say the firearm was never taken out of the teacher’s aide’s bag and was never used in a threatening manner.
The school posted the following letter on it’s website:
Dear Parents & Staff,
This morning at 9:02 A.M., the administration at the Jesse J. Kaplan School initiated a 911 call. The Kaplan Principal confiscated a handgun from an employee. Clarkstown Police secured the weapon and have questioned the employee, and removed her from the campus. Students and staff are safe. The safety and welfare of our Rockland BOCES community is always our top priority. Anyone with questions is advised to contact the Superintendent’s Office – 845-627-4701. Rockland BOCES is working with Clarkstown Police on the investigations.
Sincerely,
Mary Jean Marsico, Ed. D.
Chief Operating Officer
Rockland BOCES
According to their website, the school serves students ‘ages 5-21 with autism, cognitive disabilities, medical fragility and/or multiple disabilities.’
