[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6308127,"mediaKeyId","2424957-c6b5afc544ec03807d1710f7ac8f5409","parentId",2424957,"title","Policy committee reviews head‑lice procedure, proposes outreach and possible supplies for families","audioSeconds",108,"startMs",8007000,"endMs",8115000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2424957-c6b5afc544ec03807d1710f7ac8f5409&start=8007&end=8115","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2424957-c6b5afc544ec03807d1710f7ac8f5409/thumbnail_8007000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6308127/New-York/Policy-committee-reviews-headlice-procedure-proposes-outreach-and-possible-supplies-for-families","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308127-a412276140c0a44ada9616e7fdaf662c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776190907&Signature=Zig8q5CuE6P7ShpsCrAujBuwSkqW1QA1GbC81bBYIzWd-zF5NBuOLqpzUJSfi8E0tVP3cEd-scLXZxBbFHmSO~S6eremzvZ1xZxsi01iM0~ZK8dD5j9sqjn2yIKgz0-9prNf2OjGBAdRkd8dG6pu7iSznNKA0M4nf70jLiQv30Ebp7~l0hcYZv~GRIx4kmnKG34rQpH2bwiU-eeLWjLbe~BEBcgfmRcNa9aAKfAL1ZUZnPP4mR6BNInAPYrsz-3DWRvo-hMMuyUHWFxlL2RFGFfxl1KUGWt0QQK17LHLykZ81FX~-H96Pc~CuO7EDNqzQTnG2SaUvkJ6r8EzXDlmWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-26T14:41:30Z","article","Members of the Board of Education’s policy committee and district nurses reviewed current head‑lice procedures at Thursday’s meeting and discussed possible revisions to policy 7106 and related guidance to parents.

Policy committee members heard from district nursing staff that current state and CDC guidance no longer recommends automatic exclusion of students for live lice; instead, the district currently notifies families, provides resources and allows students to remain in school. Committee members discussed barriers families face in obtaining effective treatment, noted that over‑the‑counter shampoos may fail in some cases, and raised a proposal to seek donated treatment kits and create clearer communications for parents.

The committee reviewed potential operational changes: more precise follow‑up timing language (7–10 days and a 20‑day check referenced in discussion), use of a QR code or handout with videos and step‑by‑step instructions, and exploring whether nurses can provide treatment assistance at school for families who lack access to care. A committee speaker said the district would pursue donated kits and better materials for parents and would bring a draft policy revision back to the board for approval.

Committee members requested that nursing staff provide specific educational materials and recommended the administration consult pediatric providers and confirm legal/medical protocols before any school‑based treatment program is offered.

No policy vote was taken at the meeting; the committee plans to prepare revised verbiage and resources and to present the change to the full board in a subsequent meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/25/2025 WCSD BOE Meeting at the Watertown High School","oneSentenceSummary","The board’s policy committee discussed updating the district’s head‑lice policy to reflect current CDC guidance, expand parent resources and explore donated lice‑treatment kits for families; no policy vote was taken and staff will draft revised language for board consideration.","taxTitle","WATERTOWN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",49388,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6308132,"Board approves routine business: transportation agreements, policy change, course addition, personnel actions and donations",446,9189000,9635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2424957-c6b5afc544ec03807d1710f7ac8f5409&start=9189&end=9635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2424957-c6b5afc544ec03807d1710f7ac8f5409/thumbnail_9189000.jpg","/articles/6308132/New-York/Board-approves-routine-business-transportation-agreements-policy-change-course-addition-personnel-actions-and-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308132-58782b2dc02d35b7c6a33ba01b0b27b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776190907&Signature=P07b1j9cyEYCXzNWxCmIUkA9RGZKBPOw2ODMLEafRr9fQL7TkG8Lga2XRDW9lkw2iQHQmJU5eOp1zBfZo~ZsRJxfN5fNC-vJTralPrW~PzWmalb3-Xzdim-kgGaL1rI5o6pSyatgzqcwEIb~jjJIbNVWKPh8FUdclI4xMaZsuUotsvE7xYflMjeD3PuttRZ7kSD8Bx9xTWBDrMYgCY8lmhLiDfdANdjzH99qTWu6v-NFV62PwoA4NDVbmQP6-in--Sw89JCBYSqZuKM-VSGRRlbaCLoEohBlpl3TktsjyMBbHjUoCNbEiNlqWAhyfsf2ERbYdIBxW5JaZTjgJXiRzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Watertown City School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a suite of routine consent and action items in a single set of motions and subsequent separate votes. Board members approved transportation contracts, personnel appointments and resignations, policy updates, course offerings, and accepted donations and disposals as listed on the published agenda.

Key approvals recorded in the meeting minutes and by voice vote included:
- Athletic and field trip transportation agreement, General Holmes School Transportation Agreement, and Summer School Transportation Agreement with First Student, Inc.;
- Adoption of revised Board policy 6303 (rights of nursing employees to express breast milk);
- Authorization of a new course, AP World History: Modern, for the 2025‑26 school year at Watertown High School;
- Multiple personnel actions: resignations, probationary and non‑probationary appointments for instructional and non‑instructional staff, and discontinuations of probationary non‑instructional employees (effective dates and employee names were included on the board’s personnel list);
- Authorization for three General Brown Central School District students to practice and travel with the Watertown High School track and field team for the 2024‑25 season;
- Disposal, recycling or donation of damaged, outdated and unused library books at Case Middle School, Sherman Elementary School, and Watertown High School;
- Approval of student trips and extracurricular travel as listed in the agenda;
- Acceptance of donations: 75 Under Armour T‑shirts (anonymous donor) for the athletic department and 75 gallons of ice cream with toppings from Stewart Shops for the Watertown High School PBIS ice cream social.

Most motions were moved and seconded by board members on the record (for example, John Johnson, Laurie Converse, Tina Fuller and others were recorded as movers or seconders in session). Each motion was approved by voice vote (record entry: “Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.”). The meeting record does not show a roll‑call tally of individual votes.","At the meeting the Board approved transportation contracts, a revised nursing‑employee policy, a proposed AP world history course, personnel appointments and resignations, disposal of library materials and several donations; motions carried by voice votes recorded as \"Aye.\"",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6308137,"Watertown High’s Cyclone Academy credits program shows early gains in attendance, behavior and credit recovery",2010,2834000,4844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2424957-c6b5afc544ec03807d1710f7ac8f5409&start=2834&end=4844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2424957-c6b5afc544ec03807d1710f7ac8f5409/thumbnail_2834000.jpg","/articles/6308137/New-York/Watertown-Highs-Cyclone-Academy-credits-program-shows-early-gains-in-attendance-behavior-and-credit-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308137-a41115dfd5c6a0e3aa130bfb21b0cb06/orig.mp4?Expires=1776190907&Signature=bjdO4QYQ93haLz2I4-hUDlZ0MJQNjzw8s5NX0yoBJX8Q3f0ZvLMfQJnRdEeTWojE3zZDOdgcypLocYkTRfugWMOlVpNUV9NHWTdzC06tsuuYW7b4gLhBl-3-74aGRciBeO-iF9HJNbebillzHDGsXGkQEHwymj-5YCLVctl3HCYa4QXo8UwPMuTkuvlcv9SzXi-xHMfcDqZ-UlF75bpPY-itmw4ZWV1Pga89SAjEJ0IUq5Dw5SdfFfz891MgiEamW90CAmD~hiLLGtTWG~q3oR9RT6puFcz6cTLGRDgztZl5ojR2PYkXnwkk1PrK5H52kRvHSPRzdo9CYapWngdEFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Watertown High School leaders on Thursday described Cyclone Academy, a part‑time alternative schedule for students who do not fit the traditional school day, and presented data they said show early academic and behavioral gains.

Principal Leslie Atkinson and assistant principals Tanya Trudell and Amber Misercola told the Board of Education Cyclone Academy enrolled about 70 students (the presenters later said the roster changed to 71), of whom 58 were full‑time in the program for the late‑afternoon session. Staff reported that 52 students earned a total of 105 credits during the first semester through a mix of in‑person instruction and online credit‑accrual/recovery work.

Presenters emphasized the program’s smaller class sizes, shorter blocks and flexible curriculum as reasons for improved outcomes. The administration reported that disciplinary referrals for the cohort of students tracked from the prior year dropped from a combined 668 referrals to 21 referrals for the students who had been in Cyclone Academy from September through February. Presenters also showed building‑wide behavior data indicating fewer referrals across several grade bands, which they attributed partly to Cyclone Academy and partly to a broader, data‑driven PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) approach.

Teachers and staff described classroom practice and student supports. Science teacher Lisa Winkler said individualized attention and community helped students who earlier struggled to succeed, credit recovery coordinator Erin Coyer detailed the Momentum platform used for online accrual and recovery work, and PE teacher Rebecca Sullivan described mobile and adaptable physical‑education lessons when traditional spaces were not available.

Student testimony came from junior Alexa Solis, who described failing most classes as a freshman, moving into GED coursework, and then finding Cyclone Academy. Solis said one‑on‑one attention, smaller classes and focused teacher support enabled her to pass living environment and global history Regents exams and to plan for a nursing career.

District staff said the program includes special‑education services, counseling, workforce connections and field trips; students remain eligible for extracurriculars that meet during the afternoon. Presenters asked the board to continue support for the program and to consider expansion and ongoing funding as part of budgeting and program planning.

Presenters credited community partners and donors: Stewart’s donated supplies for a Cyclone Academy ice‑cream social, and staff cited other local supports for field trips and student experiences.

Board members praised the program and cited student testimonials as evidence of the model’s early success. The administration said it will continue to refine Cyclone Academy, add stakeholder feedback in design and report results in future meetings.","School leaders said the new Cyclone Academy, a flexible late‑afternoon program for students who struggle in the traditional day, enrolled about 70 students and produced credit accrual and a sharp decline in disciplinary referrals among participating students.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6308142,"Watertown school leaders outline $110 million capital project, say state aid and reserves will prevent tax increase",1324,126000,1450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2424957-c6b5afc544ec03807d1710f7ac8f5409&start=126&end=1450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2424957-c6b5afc544ec03807d1710f7ac8f5409/thumbnail_126000.jpg","/articles/6308142/New-York/Watertown-school-leaders-outline-110-million-capital-project-say-state-aid-and-reserves-will-prevent-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308142-fbd0a0b6f8c6b847685cf6e350db1cd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776190907&Signature=PjUbhLxiCnj3NjqN0BRnBEGIDSsuCcWyNdJsUtt4tFMn8esUF0xYptv03GbqKh4L7JTz7hGm~hTcnObf4ZYplBLwDwazU5RGReNbngOQiLWjRx8d4nOdrpULqKxdzOytFGEViIuLgGAxajYoUfa3MZvXsmm-Ir1dvzreDLrB04SNpoQyAANuQitnR~H5lqrNjwHaf9mkMyFQxML2jbtCJwCYhC2aOoX1iFAzhgLiGPdBT8awKOAGKJ3gedF2v2obm9Dh-9GEymbYxTUlWuDXzUBdCiK-GpV~uCV79~c-5rfn~6EUpbVZUk6yJ5dxU3LmZavuvUeivouqMK477D~zAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Watertown City School District officials on Thursday held a public hearing outlining a proposed $110,000,000 capital project that would repair building envelopes, replace aging boilers and HVAC systems, upgrade fire alarms and secure entrances, and make site and ADA improvements across the district. Architect Jason Benedict and fiscal adviser Ben Maslona presented the scope and finance plan to the Board of Education and members of the public.

The district described the work as districtwide “warm, safe, dry” repairs: roof and masonry work, window and door replacement, conversion of old steam systems to hot water, building management controls, secure vestibules at several schools, and site improvements including parking, drainage and lighting. Projected building‑specific priorities were shown for Watertown High School, CASE, HT Wiley, North, Ohio, Starbuck, Knickerbocker, Sherman and the non‑student‑occupied Massey building.

District consultants emphasized the project was sized and timed to maximize New York State building aid and to use a voter‑approved capital reserve plus expiring debt so the district expects no tax increase. Ben Maslona said the district qualifies for a 93% building aid ratio for aidable work; the plan also uses an established capital reserve and times new borrowing to coincide with older debt lapsing. Maslona noted the voter proposition will include legally required language allowing a levy “if necessary,” but said the financial plan as presented would not require a tax increase.

The presentation covered technical limits the state sets on “maximum cost allowances” for aidable work at each instructional building; as an example, the consultants said the maximum allowance for reconstructing the high school is about $44,000,000 and rebuilding the school from scratch would be far more expensive than repairing it under current state rules. The consultants said the total identified work across the district initially totaled about $200 million, and the $110 million package reflects prioritization of high‑priority, aidable items.

On timing, consultants said the program must be staged to fit state rules and cost allowances. If voters approve the proposition, design and state review would follow; the team estimated a possible start of construction for phase 1 in summer 2026 and suggested full build‑out could take several phases over “6 to 7 years” depending on phasing and aidable thresholds.

District staff and the consultants said additional design work and stakeholder engagement would follow a successful referendum: traffic study results will be used to refine campus circulation and drop‑off plans; modular design decisions and hazardous‑material abatement will be addressed in the design and bidding phases; and the district will return to stakeholders with more detailed plans once SED review and final phasing are established.

No vote on the capital proposition was taken at the hearing. Board members and the public asked questions about timelines, ventilation and air movement, plans for bicycle and pedestrian circulation, and how un‑aidable sites such as the non‑student Massey building would be handled. Consultants said they will pursue other funding sources for work that does not generate state aid and that items not covered by aid could be paid from reserves if necessary.

The district said the public vote on the proposition will be held during the district’s Music in Our Schools event on March 25.","District architects and finance advisers presented a $110 million, multi‑phase capital project at a public hearing, outlining building repairs, secure entries, mechanical upgrades and a financing plan that relies on state building aid, a capital reserve and expiring debt; no formal vote on the project was taken at the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Policy committee reviews head‑lice procedure, proposes outreach and possible supplies for families

Board approves routine business: transportation agreements, policy change, course addition, personnel actions and donations

Watertown High’s Cyclone Academy credits program shows early gains in attendance, behavior and credit recovery

Watertown school leaders outline $110 million capital project, say state aid and reserves will prevent tax increase