Stafford Community Message
Posted Date: 10/30/26 (08:24 AM)
Hello, Stafford Community,
First, I want to wish everyone a happy Halloween! I hope our families have a fun and safe evening tomorrow. A special good luck to parents navigating Halloween on a Saturday night! Please remember to watch out for our children and students as they enjoy the holiday, and don’t forget to set your clocks back this weekend.
Second, I want to address a matter of community concern. As many of you are aware, there have been recent incidents involving some of our adolescents and teenagers in the community. I want to assure you that the district is aware of these situations and takes them seriously.
State and local law enforcement notify school personnel, including the superintendent, when required by law regarding arrests involving our students. This communication allows us to work collaboratively with families, law enforcement, and community providers to identify appropriate supports for students involved in or impacted by these incidents.
Our responsibility, however, extends beyond providing support. We must also maintain safe, respectful, and orderly learning environments for every student and staff member. When incidents occur outside of school hours or school-sponsored activities but carry over into our schools or negatively affect the school environment, we will respond. Conduct does not become inconsequential simply because it occurs outside the school day. When behavior impacts the safety, well-being, or operation of our schools, we will take appropriate action, including disciplinary consequences when warranted and consistent with district policy and applicable law.
Next week, I have a meeting scheduled with local law enforcement to review recent situations and discuss proactive and responsive measures we can take together, including continued collaboration with our School Resource Officer. We will approach this work as partners, recognizing that keeping our young people safe requires a coordinated effort among our schools, families, law enforcement, and the broader community.
We will also continue to explore proactive supports and opportunities for our students, including the potential to expand after-school activities and other constructive opportunities for older students. Supporting our young people and holding them accountable are not competing priorities. We can care deeply about our students while maintaining clear expectations for their behavior and taking decisive action when necessary.
I want to be clear: our schools must remain safe places where students can learn, staff can teach, and families can have confidence that concerns affecting the school environment will be addressed. We will continue to respond to situations thoughtfully, fairly, and firmly, balancing appropriate student support with the need to protect the learning environment for everyone.
Stafford is a strong community, and maintaining that strength requires all of us to work together. I ask our families and community members to continue partnering with us, communicating concerns through appropriate channels, and reinforcing the importance of responsible choices, respect for others, and accountability.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and Stafford Public Schools. I wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween weekend.
Scott Sugarman
Superintendent of Schools
Stafford Public Schools
First, I want to wish everyone a happy Halloween! I hope our families have a fun and safe evening tomorrow. A special good luck to parents navigating Halloween on a Saturday night! Please remember to watch out for our children and students as they enjoy the holiday, and don’t forget to set your clocks back this weekend.
Second, I want to address a matter of community concern. As many of you are aware, there have been recent incidents involving some of our adolescents and teenagers in the community. I want to assure you that the district is aware of these situations and takes them seriously.
State and local law enforcement notify school personnel, including the superintendent, when required by law regarding arrests involving our students. This communication allows us to work collaboratively with families, law enforcement, and community providers to identify appropriate supports for students involved in or impacted by these incidents.
Our responsibility, however, extends beyond providing support. We must also maintain safe, respectful, and orderly learning environments for every student and staff member. When incidents occur outside of school hours or school-sponsored activities but carry over into our schools or negatively affect the school environment, we will respond. Conduct does not become inconsequential simply because it occurs outside the school day. When behavior impacts the safety, well-being, or operation of our schools, we will take appropriate action, including disciplinary consequences when warranted and consistent with district policy and applicable law.
Next week, I have a meeting scheduled with local law enforcement to review recent situations and discuss proactive and responsive measures we can take together, including continued collaboration with our School Resource Officer. We will approach this work as partners, recognizing that keeping our young people safe requires a coordinated effort among our schools, families, law enforcement, and the broader community.
We will also continue to explore proactive supports and opportunities for our students, including the potential to expand after-school activities and other constructive opportunities for older students. Supporting our young people and holding them accountable are not competing priorities. We can care deeply about our students while maintaining clear expectations for their behavior and taking decisive action when necessary.
I want to be clear: our schools must remain safe places where students can learn, staff can teach, and families can have confidence that concerns affecting the school environment will be addressed. We will continue to respond to situations thoughtfully, fairly, and firmly, balancing appropriate student support with the need to protect the learning environment for everyone.
Stafford is a strong community, and maintaining that strength requires all of us to work together. I ask our families and community members to continue partnering with us, communicating concerns through appropriate channels, and reinforcing the importance of responsible choices, respect for others, and accountability.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and Stafford Public Schools. I wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween weekend.
Scott Sugarman
Superintendent of Schools
Stafford Public Schools