Vernon Schools Chief named To State Safety Board

VERNON, CT – Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary has been appointed to the state School Safety Infrastructure Council, a board that works to "ensure school facilities foster learning but are also safe and secure."

The announcement was made by town officials Monday.

The council was formed in the aftermath of the 2012 Sandy Hook School school shooting to develop standards for school building safety.

"The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority," Macary said. "School buildings must be safe. Schools must also be places that are conducive to learning, so it’s important that we balance those needs and create safe environments that bring out the best in our students."

Prior to the Sandy Hook tragedy, the state did not have uniform standards for assessing and addressing school safety infrastructure design. Decisions were made at the local level, leading to uneven standards throughout the state.

The council created standards, and continues to evaluate and revise them.
Dr. Macary was appointed to the council by State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk, who noted that Macary’s “knowledge and experience will be of great value to the council.”

Macary has worked on school design and safety issues and Vernon has become a leader in training first responders in mass casualty incidents.

"The Vernon public schools, in partnership with family and community, are committed to provide a quality education, with high expectations, in a safe environment where all students become independent learners and productive contributors to society," Macary said.

Macary has been the schools chief in Vernon Superintendent of Schools since October 2015, said he is honored to be appointed to the council and looks forward to ensuring school children across Connecticut have safe and nurturing places to learn.

Before his arrival in Vernon, Dr. Macary was superintendent in his hometown of Wolcott. He also served in a variety of administrative positions in Wolcott and the Waterbury public schools.

He began his education career as a high school social studies teacher and coach.
In Vernon,

Macary oversees a school system of 3,500 students, seven schools and a regional adult education program.