Covert To Take Over Management Of Sayville Schools’ Security Program

Sayville Union Free School District recently announced that Covert Investigations & Security will be taking over the management of the District’s security program, effective February 1, 2025. This decision follows a community forum earlier this month, during which Sayville families provided input regarding the District’s safety and security measures.

Covert Investigations & Security will be providing the Sayville Union Free School District with a fully trained and experienced head of security, as well as a team of law enforcement professionals available 24/7 for support. At a Board of Education meeting on January 23, Covert detailed the services they would provide for Sayville Schools, including daily safety assessments, annual security audits, mandatory security guard training, direct training for teachers and staff, incident report analysis, and coordination with local law enforcement for follow-up investigations.

“Safety and security have always been a top priority in the Sayville School District,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marc Ferris. “We strongly believe that a team-based approach—guided by experts in K-12 security and safety management working in collaboration with our current security team—will significantly enhance the quality of our safety and security efforts, ultimately benefiting all members of our learning community.”

Covert Investigations & Security has named Michael Elderbaum as the District's new Head of Security. Elderbaum, a longtime resident of Sayville, has over 30 years of experience with the New York City Police Department, most recently as a detective squad Sergeant Supervisor. He will be taking over for Wayne Simone, who served as Head of Security for two and a half years and worked in the District’s security program since 2018. In making the announcement, Dr. Ferris thanked Mr. Simone for his dedication and service to the District.

For more information on the Sayville Union Free School District, visit the district’s website at sayvilleschools.org. Happenings in the District can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/saydistrictpr. #CaringAndLearning