During the June 21 regular business meeting, Board of Education President Michael Bodnar read a letter to express thanks for the districtwide efforts that made the 2020-21 school year a successful one.
June 21, 2021
Teaching and learning in a global pandemic—it’s something none of us ever expected to do, but have spent the past 15 months doing. It’s a feat that is remarkable, and one that took a true, group effort spanning countless people and departments in this district. I’d like to take a few minutes to share many thanks on the behalf of the Board of Education:
COVID-19 Coordinator, Gregg Barthelmas
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Gregg Barthelmas has taken on a vast role, serving as the liaison between the district and Saratoga County Public Health Services. We thank him for his countless hours working on contact tracing and staying abreast of the latest public health guidance from both the county and the state, all while continuing his role as the district’s Director of Pupil Personnel Services.
Administrators
The district’s administrators have been able to pivot on a moment’s notice throughout the pandemic, with fluctuating guidance from the New York State Department of Education and executive orders from the Governor. We thank them for their dedication through uncharted territory, all while remaining committed to delivering a high level of guidance and support to our staff.
Teachers & support staff
In March of 2020, our teachers and support staff had to reimagine the delivery of education, and continue to evolve through the months to come. From using new technology, to teaching in a hybrid or fully remote model, to supporting students more than they ever have before, their plates were full. We thank our teachers and staff for their dedication to our students and remaining committed to delivering a high quality education in unprecedented circumstances.
Judi Dunkel & Pam Driscoll
Secretary to the Superintendent Judi Dunkel and High School Nurse Pam Driscoll spent several weeks organizing and coordinating regional vaccinations clinics. These clinics provided opportunities for our staff to get vaccinated during a time when appointments were hard to come by. Increasing the number of vaccinated staff members helped to decrease the number of mandatory quarantines, therefore providing us progress in this pandemic. We thank them for their time.
Nurses
Our school nurses were faced with an unprecedented year of nursing. Redesigning their work flow in regard to well and sick room traffic, caring for potentially symptomatic students, and staying abreast of the latest public health guidance from both the county and the state. We thank them for their service and for maintaining high standards for health and safety.
Food Service
The district’s Food Service Department, led by Sarah Keen, remained committed to providing meals to students and families throughout the pandemic, even when campus was shut down. In September 2020, when the district re-opened for in-person learning, the Food Service staff continued to provide meals for students learning remotely through a weekly meal box pickup program. Maintaining access to healthy meal options remained a priority, and we thank the entire department.
Transportation
When the campus was shut down in the spring of 2020, our transportation department, led by Chuck Barss, was an integral part of providing meals to our families remotely. When our district reopened, drivers pivoted to the new health and safety protocols required on buses, ensuring each day that students were properly masked and socially distanced. We thank them for continuing to open their bus doors to children each day with a smiling face.
Custodial Staff/Buildings and Grounds
The mandated health and safety protocols required of school districts required a big degree of change in order for the district to reopen this year. Our custodial staff and buildings and grounds department, led by Peter Riggi, worked hard to ensure our doors were ready to be open in September. At the outset of the pandemic last year, they worked tirelessly to disinfect our buildings during a time when many of us worked from the comfort of our homes. They maintained clean and sanitized buildings, working through each shift to ensure the highest degree of cleanliness each day. We thank them for their hard work and commitment to their jobs.