Conference 2025

School Safety Conference 2025
February 18, 19, 20th

Holiday Inn - 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Registration open now - $350.00

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Kyle Vowinkel

Boy in the Bunker Negotiations

Kyle Vonwinkle is a former U.S. Army officer, retired FBI executive, with experience on Hostage Rescue Teams and Crisis Negotiation Units. Kyle was involved in the Boston Marathon Bomber surrender, and the successful resolution of the Alabama "boy in a bunker" case.

Kyle's presentation will focus on leadership, resilience, and how to make key decisions while facing extreme situational opposition.

Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis

Choosing Hope

Kaitlin M. Roig-DeBellis is the Founder & Executive Director of Classes 4 Classes, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization. Classes 4 Classes is a social networking tool, for every student in the United States to learn: compassion, caring, kindness, empathy, consideration, through active engagement.

Kaitlin travels all over the world speaking to School Boards, Administrators, Teachers, Students, Non-Profit organizations, Corporations, and Conferences as a key note and commencement speaker.

Kaitlin is the author of ‘Choosing Hope: Moving Forward From Life’s Darkest Hours’ published by G.P. Putnam & Penguin. Kaitlin teaches in the Undergraduate Education Department at Bay Path University as an Adjunct Professor.

Kaitlin serves on the NEAG Alumni Association Board of Directors. Kaitlin writes educational blog posts for the Huffington Post weekly. In May 2016 Kaitlin received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her work with Classes 4 Classes.

Dr. Gene Deisinger

Threat assessment

Licensed psychologist, certified health service provider in psychology, and as a state-certified police officer (now retired from law enforcement), Dr. Deisinger brings a unique perspective to the field of forensic & law enforcement psychology in behavioral threat assessment & management.

Tom Czyz

The Nashville Debrief

Tom Czyz, a former homicide detective and SWAT officer, has responded to and investigated over 60 K-12 school shootings.

Tom is recognized nationally and internationally for his expertise in active shooter attacks, school security, and motivational speaking. His work has been featured by The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Forbes Magazine, HBO, Viewpoint, and numerous local, national, international, and global news outlets. He has presented across the globe to government officials and school associations for superintendents, school board members, facilities, and transportation.

In this presentation, Tom will dive into the Nashville Shooting, the things that went right, and the things that went wrong.

NOTABLE GUEST SPEAKERS

DR. NICOLE ALIOTO

Using data to create safer schools.

Dr. Nicole Alioto has over 25 years of educational research experience. Dr. Alioto combines her background in social psychology, statistics, and safety to present a wholistic educated approach to school safety.

Participants her class will receive a free copy of her new book, "Your school Sucks".

CAPTAIN PATRICK MANN

STUDENT'S WITH DASABILITIES

Training geared towards resource officers, Captain Mann will tackle the ever difficult job of policing in a school while being cognizant of students with disabilities.

Captain Patrick Mann retired after a 32-year career with the Buffalo Police Department. He worked in patrol, administration, and training. His last assignment was Director of Training where he served for 17 years.

He currently serves as the Lead Master Trainer for Law Enforcement Disability Awareness at Niagara University, conducting both in-service and Train the Trainer programs.

Brent and Belinda Schlafer

From Exhausted to Empowered: Prioritizing Your Self-care.

Belinda is Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She has been licensed since 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Houghton College with a minor in Sociology and a master’s degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from St. Bonaventure University. Belinda is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and is certified in EMDR.

Brent Schlafer, a dedicated member of the Allegany County Sheriff's Office for 23 years, serves as the Wellness Coordinator. Brent is actively involved as a co-founder and instructor for the Officer Wellness Program, and Self-Care initiatives within his department.

Sergeant Richard Parenti

HEART 911 - FOR THE SRO

This program provides first responders with self-care tools to decrease, regain a sense of control, and enhance their quality of life. The SMART program teaches stress warning signs, coping strategies, mindful awareness, how to create an adaptive perspective, and embracing a healing state of mind. Agencies benefit by first responders having more reasoned decision making, enhanced performance, increased productivity, improved interactions with the community, better relationships with colleagues, and a reduction in sick time.

This program is based on scientific research and has a proven clinical efficacy record. It can be used as a pro-active healthcare educational tool or a reactive tool for veteran officers experiencing a critical incident or the effects of the cumulative job experiences

STEVE CHATTERTON

FLORIDA HARM PREVENTION AND THREAT MANAGEMENT MODEL

The "Florida Model" is a newer, legislatively adopted threat management model (FL). This model uses early intervention, uniformity, accountability and support of students.

Capt. (Ret) Chatterton is a certified Homeland Security Threat Assessment instructor, a previous School Resource Officer, and a previous Director of Security of the Greece Central School District.

MICHAEL BENNETT

AS SCHOOL LEADERS, WE MUST PREPARE FOR THE UNTHINKABLE

"It has been twenty one years since a 16-year-old opened fire at a high school in the Capital Region. The violent incident took place inside the halls of Columbia High School in East Greenbush.

The only person physically injured that day by a gunshot was Michael Bennett, who is now the Superintendent at the Greenville Central School District.

Participants will hear the story of Bennett's reflection of that day and lessons learned as he continues his journey in education.

Kelly Greenway

Poverty Simulation

Kelly Greenway is the Training and Professional Development coordinator for Livingston County. She has a 20 year background in elementary education and holds a Master's Degree in Advanced Teaching from SUNY Brockport.

Kelly and her team will provide an interactive, immersion experience where participants assume the roles of families facing poverty or supportive resources within the community. The simulation experience gives participants a glimpse into the structural barriers, as well as some of the personal and emotional repercussions people in poverty face.

Craig Hansen

A Road Map to Reunification

Reunification after critical incidents can be as intense and chaotic as the initiating event. Successful planning for such events requires a multi-agency approach to support school district response and recovery. An overview of planning considerations and lessons learned will be shared to assist school communities in this critical planning process.

Craig Hansen is the Chief Emergency Officer for Questar III BOCES. He is a valued resource in school safety. His office has created a BOCES Regional Reunification Team to support school districts in his region. Craig is a CRASE instructor, an adjunct instructor with the I Love U Guys Foundation, and an Education Representative for the C-PASS Executive Board.

Steven Leach PhD

From K-12 to TAMS

Steven currently is employed by NYSDHSES. He is a subject matter expert in Targeted Violence Prevention, Behavioral Threat Assessment, K-12 Security, Domestic Violent Extremism/Domestic Terrorism, Transnational Violent Extremism, Conflict Transformation, Protecting Houses of Worship, and Community Violence Prevention.

In this session, Leach and his team will explain the purpose of the County level TAM team, and ways that this structure has already helped school districts throughout New York State.

SSS Vernon House

Bullying explained and what we can do about it.

Supervisor Vernon House began his career as a School Safety Officer in 1981 and was promoted to School Safety Sergeant in 1990. In 1997 he was offered the opportunity to become an instructor at the Academy. He continued to grow as an instructor and later became the Curriculum Coordinator for the School Safety Training Unit. He served in this capacity for 16 years before leaving and returning to the field as the Borough Trainer for the School Safety Division’s Manhattan South Command. In October of 2019 Vernon was promoted to Supervisor of School Security and in 2021 returned to the Police Academy where he now serves as the Platoon Commander for School Safety Officer recruits.

He is one of the Department’s premiere speakers on the subject of Bullying in Schools and Tactical Communication. He also conducts seminars on Gender Identity, LGBT Sensitivity for Law Enforcement and Professionalism in the Workplace.