District: unloaded BB gun and knife recovered at New Hyde Park Memorial; parents press for clearer communications

The SEWANHAKA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT told its board on Nov. 24 that an anonymous tip earlier in the week led Nassau County Police and Homeland Security to respond to New Hyde Park Memorial and remove an unloaded BB gun and a multipurpose folding knife from a student’s backpack. The district said the student and a parent were escorted off campus and police completed an initial investigation.

Why it matters: The incident prompted parents to question the district’s handling and timeliness of communications, and a parent asked publicly for specific safety measures to prevent a repeat. School safety and clear parent communication were emphasized as the district’s top priorities.

At the meeting, an administrator said: “Within minutes, the Nassau County Police Department and Homeland Security arrived on campus and the student was apprehended. An unloaded BB gun and a multipurpose folding knife were retrieved from the student's backpack.” The same speaker added that the district “debriefed with the Nassau County Police Department and Homeland Security to review safety protocol and parent communication.”

A member of the public, Masuma Zakir, who identified herself as the parent of two New Hyde Park Memorial students, thanked the district for acknowledging the event but asked for more detail: “Can you elaborate a little bit on what security measures will be put in place to prevent this from happening again?” The board chair replied that public comment is not a Q&A but that staff would follow up with the parent.

The board characterized the matter as being handled “in accordance with the district's code of conduct,” and said it had sent messages to families the day of the incident and a follow-up the next day. Parents in follow-up contacts said they felt the initial messaging lacked detail; district staff said they have since reviewed notification procedures with law enforcement and internal teams.

What the record shows: The transcript records the removal of an unloaded BB gun and a folding knife, response by Nassau County Police and Homeland Security, and the district’s review of communication and safety protocols. The meeting did not record a named vote or an immediate policy change; staff were asked to follow up with the concerned parent and the board.

Next steps: The board did not announce specific new security measures at the meeting; staff said they will follow up with families and that the district is reviewing procedures with law enforcement.