RAISE THE BAR. COMMIT TO EXCELLENCE.

DR. MARGUERITE VANDEN WYNGAARD, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Board of Education Meeting

Superintendents Report
Dec. 17, 2015
Sheridan Preparatory Academy

Attorney Generals Report

As you know, our school district has entered into an agreement with the state Attorney
Generals Office regarding our suspension policies. Through that agreement, we have
reaffirmed our commitment to changing practices and procedures that have led to
disproportionate suspension rates for our black students and our students with
disabilities.
The facts that the Attorney Generals Office reported this week are not new to us. They
are not surprising to us. I recognized this as soon as I arrived in Albany three years ago.
Our community has struggled with the consequences of these practices and procedures
a lot longer than that.
However, the Attorney Generals investigation provides us with an opportunity as a
school district, and as a community to lead the way to different outcomes.
For our black students. For our students with disabilities. And for every young person
who calls Albany home.
The Attorney Generals investigators found signs of positive change in our school district.
They recognized new policies and practices we have put in place over the last two years
that will make a difference once they are fully implemented throughout the district.
We are trying to change a culture in our schools. That will take time, and I am heartened
by the fact that this investigation found reasons for hope.

1 ACADEMY PARK ALBANY, NEW YORK 12207

PHONE: (518) 475-6010 FAX: (518) 475-6014

EMAIL: MVANDEN@ALBANY.K12.NY.US

December 17, 2015

I am hopeful, too, because I see a commitment to change beginning to take hold among
our staff and our leadership. I am hopeful because we have a wealth of community
partners ready, willing and able to join us in this work.
None of us like the facts that this report has reminded us about. The insidious tentacles
of race and racism still are deeply rooted in American society and in our own
community. Those facts sting us all maybe in different ways depending on our
personal history and circumstances but they sting just the same.
The power to change that lies within each of us as individuals, and collectively.
It is time for all of us to put aside our differences, and to challenge our own
preconceptions. It is time for all of us to work together for the benefit of every child, so
that this will be the last time someone points to Albany and says we have failed in our
basic responsibility to provide all of our children with the respect, support and
understanding that they need and deserve.
Durham Update
I will be sending a communication home tomorrow to all of our families that rely on
Durham School Services for bus transportation. As you know, Durham has had a difficult
time meeting its contractual obligations in our school district this fall. This has led to
numerous late buses and inconsistent service throughout the district.
It has been a major inconvenience for many of our families. This has to stop, and we are
taking steps in that direction.
Durham has continued to work with us to find solutions. They have added five new
drivers in the last week, and by the time we return from the holiday break they will have
added a total of 15 new drivers since the Thanksgiving recess.
We are hopeful that this commitment on Durhams part will allow the company to meet
its contractual obligations to our school district and our families. We also are
investigating additional options to provide bus service to our families should this
unacceptable pattern continue in the new year. I will keep you updated on this situation.

December 17, 2015

Holiday Music
While we are here tonight taking care of our business, students and staff at Arbor Hill
Elementary School and Myers Middle School are engaged in the final performances of
what has been another amazing winter concert season.
Especially at this time of year, it is so uplifting to enjoy the talents of our gifted students
and staff members. Our music programs are a source of pride throughout our school
district, and I hope you had an opportunity to get to one of our concerts over the last
few weeks.
And even though the official concerts are coming to an end, there still are a few
performances remaining before the holiday break:
Myers students will perform songs of the season at Colonie Center at 10 a.m. next
Wednesday.
Also next Wednesday, students at Schuyler Achievement Academy and right here
at Sheridan Prep will participate in the holiday tradition of Caroling on the Stairs.
Sheridan Prep will gather at 9 a.m. and Schuyler will gather at 2 p.m. to celebrate
the season and the upcoming time off, Im sure.
Holiday Message
A reminder that our schools will be closed from December 24 until January 4. Our offices
also will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and on New Years Eve and New
Years Day.
On behalf of all of us in the City School District of Albany, I wish everyone the very best
this holiday season.
The gift of music at Sheridan Prep
And for my final item tonight, I would like to invite Sheridan Prep music teacher Lynette
McGovern to come forward to tell us about a wonderful gift of music that her students
received this fall through The Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation.