Thank You, Officer Bradley; Welcome Officer Barrett

Dear GUFS Community,

It is with immense gratitude and a sprinkle of sadness that I share we will be saying goodbye to Officer John Bradley at the end of the school year. Officer Bradley is pursuing opportunities in the private sector and will no longer be able to serve as SPO with us. He asked me to share that he has truly loved every moment of his time at GUFS. He has become an integral part of our community, and our students absolutely love having him as part of their school day. While we wish he could stay, we are excited for him and wish him the very best in his next endeavor.

In preparation for this transition, Mrs. Emig and I have been working closely with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office to identify the right person to continue the important work Officer Bradley has begun. I am happy to share that we believe we have found an excellent fit for our community.

We are pleased to announce that, pending the renewal of our annual agreement with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office under the terms currently in place for the 2025–2026 school year, Officer Brian Barrett will join GUFS as our newest SPO this fall. Officer Barrett served with the New York City Police Department for 20 years, earning the rank of Detective. Since his retirement in 2014, he has continued his service as one of the Sheriff’s Office's first school-based Safety Patrol Officers in the county, bringing extensive experience in working with students, including at the elementary level.

In the coming days, Officer Barrett will also have the opportunity to shadow Officer Bradley to help support a smooth transition and become familiar with our students, staff, and school community before officially beginning in the fall.

On a personal note, I had the opportunity to work with Officer Barrett during my time in Mahopac, when he served at Austin Road Elementary School. I came to know him as kind, caring, and deeply committed to the students he serves. He greeted everyone with a smile and took great pride in building strong, positive relationships with the school community. I am confident he will bring those same qualities to GUFS.

While we will certainly miss Officer Bradley, we can also feel reassured knowing that Officer Barrett will bring a similar student-centered approach, helping to ensure a smooth transition and the continued success of our SPO program.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give me a call. Thank you, as always, for your continued support as we work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff.

Warmly,

Dr. Greg Stowell

Superintendent

Garrison UFSD