Leaders of the five unions representing all the Poughkeepsie City School District staff are calling on the district to strengthen school safety.

The five union residents are joining together after violent incidents have increased this year, particularly among middle and high school students.

They're asking the district to hold bi-monthly meetings between unions and the superintendent, create policies to end violence in schools, and increase staffing.

The unions blame the issues on chronic understaffing, a lack of communication from the top down, and district leadership responding too slowly to safety concerns.

The Poughkeepsie superintendent of schools said he appreciates their willingness to get involved and laid out several steps the district is already taking to promote safety, including the SAVE Committee which meets twice a month to discuss the District-wide Safety Plan.