Queensbury Union Free School District has been awarded the Utica National Insurance Group’s School Safety Excellence Award for 2026 at the Titanium level with Honors.
This is the 17th year Queensbury has received the award, which recognizes the district’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for the entire school community. This is the highest safety honor Utica National offers.
Jon Dawes, coordinator of Capital Projects & Safety Compliance, along with Board of Education members Jeffrey Seymour and Brad Goertzen, accepted the award in March.
Utica National’s School Safety Excellence Award program has three levels — titanium, platinum and gold — in which schools can earn a meritorious distinction by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall safety. To be awarded, districts must have policies in place addressing fleet safety, concussion management, emergency action, playground safety, a safety committee and more.
At Queensbury UFSD, administrators, staff members, nurses, greeters and students meet monthly at the district level and at the building level to ensure the district is maintaining the highest level of safety on campus.
“This award reinforces that safety is not a one-time achievement,” Dawes said. “It’s a daily commitment to protecting our students, staff and community so learning can thrive.”