[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6212225,"mediaKeyId","3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88","parentId",3685841,"title","Parent praises district for neuroaffirming professional development; urges continued offerings","audioSeconds",210,"startMs",1853000,"endMs",2063000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88&start=1853&end=2063","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88/thumbnail_1853000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212225/New-York/Parent-praises-district-for-neuroaffirming-professional-development-urges-continued-offerings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212225-4d218154d6fd69f238340fe115efa342/orig.mp4?Expires=1776289261&Signature=T4UQy~3K0TjNYPv2Cd29D~27gCsdomUgk1sYcLX5Td24RM3cElWCOfZtfVdvsCYVTgcRPAHHNFSgP7Dd~NKcNLUu3XnhyRu2GjXhenHFZEm95NLLQFKofh9Mh9VtYlihY2rcvIEy5y2L2BHig83KGXFhbfw1sXgpnc0xKHfM~Oxc5nCx1zAhDVvdH~cuK6o0583eqrWExn119VNibgP9ABcvmhcg5jR31hydSlceVYMOhlwxRQHP1x8sdRT3nY8hAkhijxpMGCBIpkM-MOhcUmvqlLuHATNLPk1g6ai2YTnXxC-ZiDDbChFihsCG6f3n05CiDe2YOk7sDAc65uPA3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-04T10:56:49Z","article","A parent and advocate addressed the board during non‑agenda public comment to praise a recent neuroaffirming professional development event and to urge more offerings of that kind.

The commenter — who identified herself as a parent and district advocate — asked that the district continue to bring presenters with lived experience, citing Jordan Levon, who presented on verbal apraxia and dyspraxia. \"Awareness helps better support our students and positively impacts the overall learning environment and school culture,\" the speaker said.

Nut graf: The public comment asked the district to expand professional development on neurodivergent conditions, including presentations led by people who live with those conditions, as a way to improve classroom accommodations and outcomes for neurodivergent students.

The speaker described dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder) and said many children in general education classrooms may have traits even without formal diagnoses. She said district staff had permission to attend the local training and thanked Tina (identified in the meeting as Tina Lane) and Matt Burdick for facilitating the presentation.

Board members thanked the speaker and noted existing district efforts such as a transition summit and the new pre‑K bridging pilot. One board member referenced a local organization called Scholastico that provides neurodivergent services and suggested the district consider partnerships.

This item occurred during public comment; it was praise and a request for additional training rather than a board action. No formal motions or votes resulted from the comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/03/2025 WCSD BOE Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A parent commended the district for arranging a training on verbal apraxia and dyspraxia and recommended more neuroaffirming professional development led by people with lived experience.","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},6212230,"Board to seek construction manager as part of large capital project; officials flag local sourcing",1875,541000,2416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88&start=541&end=2416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88/thumbnail_541000.jpg","/articles/6212230/New-York/Board-to-seek-construction-manager-as-part-of-large-capital-project-officials-flag-local-sourcing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212230-18eca490e44ebbd3819498547a3e130c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776289261&Signature=kVRuIZvW~Okk1lczpsj~DNyTvi25NkO7Au3ThvunclyWCVPbzoRRWvNISC7t2b0SZC1Kww2vKEHsCU8QlQ2UDF3Qk8ttuVFOdlY1fPYZ3w6TzRU6DUrv0sZndonObUWAcgJUjymGdnEsOtAGV60zXNo-GiTqIIW9mobjR-SMMgoke5qELnaE86KfRjHNTRv~nShFrbAIqiIoiWENHfkZewDPE7~htBmquG7L3tnbN7FIB5QyyLvSyouy8vWds5XcHZ-HtX5ypzhmk~ujPP5R~j~1ZiVFOKM46NQvs56gArJXbH5X-6tTbyin9LPbpujHPdYJ~MrtPDoIDIlKArr1Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Larry Schmiedel, superintendent of schools, said the district plans to issue a request for proposals for a construction manager to support an upcoming capital project.

\"We're gonna be going out for a construction manager, so you'll be seeing something soon as an RFP,\" Schmiedel said, adding the district will advertise in the local newspaper.

Nut graf: The board will seek a construction manager through an RFP process for a substantial capital project; at least one board member emphasized prioritizing local businesses when practical, citing the project’s large scale.

A board member said it is important to keep district dollars local, noting the magnitude of a capital improvement (the meeting referenced a figure of roughly $110,000,000). \"I just think it's fair... we need to start to keep our dollars local and really lifting up our local people,\" the board member said.

Administrators noted the district has previously run local procurement processes and will follow public‑procurement rules, publishing the RFP and considering proposals. No contract award was made at the meeting; the RFP publication is direction to staff.

Discussion only: staff will prepare the RFP and advertise; the board discussed local sourcing preferences but did not change procurement rules during the meeting.","Superintendent said the district will publish an RFP for a construction manager for the capital project; a board member urged keeping work local for a roughly $110 million project.",{"_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},6212234,"Watertown expands summer offerings, adds special‑education classrooms and a pre‑K-to‑K bridging pilot",1590,970000,2560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88&start=970&end=2560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88/thumbnail_970000.jpg","/articles/6212234/New-York/Watertown-expands-summer-offerings-adds-specialeducation-classrooms-and-a-preK-toK-bridging-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212234-6a12b81894a458cec4fe99ee97090da3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776289261&Signature=FkF92oryuumlAwxkWiLyDC8m-G2yLmUo~9n1rQ9DFsjT8WNaaAVJUb3OTgP2NAPSwkzfs1d4yoOuQCBWWbg5qudVtvo1q-9DJ5Q-19uQ4uxYGzknxz68ArRAIQC4c3pS0dp5DJQlOk-0RXWlkgCs4rBeTjwlIeZghjtOLg-HYPNZDCo-bFH-zw54Pl5wu1dSwMyhN4ia~jHZqOeqbmuC6uRmRCv25Nk6LwwgAOJ-zxSycInDyj1e-xHGvzY3ZCCmjHK~hyTVYb7HCtmmYxQTJj7shWmAPSR5HFmK1sS39bTOjz1vXbTsnMSyQrzVvSdrp50t8JNSRHBROJmXTggAgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lynn Gaffney, assistant superintendent for instruction, reported summer‑program enrollments and described new and expanded offerings for 2025.

Gaffney said enrollment counts include 74 students in elementary summer school, 143 in grades 2–4 STEM camp, 67 in grades 5–8 STEM camp, 15 in a new communications and multimedia camp for grades 5–9, 59 in extended school year services, and 83 in multiple bridging programs that ease transitions between grade bands.

Nut graf: The district is increasing summer special‑education capacity and piloting a short pre‑K‑to‑K bridging program at North Elementary to support transitions; administrators said these steps are part of efforts to improve continuity between buildings and provide more inclusionary summer services.

Gaffney announced that, for the first time, the district will offer a pre‑K bridging pilot at North that runs three days and is staffed by two kindergarten teachers and support staff. She also said the district is expanding its special‑education summer placements: in addition to established 12:1 and 3:1 self‑contained programs, the district will add 12:1:1, 6:1:1 and 15:1 classrooms — the expansion will add four classrooms located at Wiley for summer services.

Officials said they will run summer programs out of Wiley, the high school and Case Middle School; pre‑K bridging will operate out of North. A board member asked whether gyms would be open for informal community use during the summer; administrators said they would consider the request but must weigh staffing and open‑day constraints.

The board approved a set of summer camps and clinics (including basketball, volleyball, competitive diving and swimming clinics) as part of the consent/board action items. A motion to approve the camps carried by voice vote at the meeting.

Administrators also said the district is advertising scholarships and financial assistance for camp fees and will continue to post openings for staff positions required to run programs.","District officials reported enrollment for multiple summer programs, announced expansion of special‑education summer classrooms, and said a three‑day pre‑K‑to‑K bridging pilot will run at North Elementary.",{"_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},6212236,"Watertown district seeks FEMA, DHS funds after February disaster; $6M–$10M mitigation possible",62,754000,816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88&start=754&end=816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88/thumbnail_754000.jpg","/articles/6212236/New-York/Watertown-district-seeks-FEMA-DHS-funds-after-February-disaster-6M10M-mitigation-possible","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212236-131141639828a254175a5b88ab977dcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1776289261&Signature=Hp8DAYuFTMgOSjSTtndZ4T0ouAtuDmT2hJOeQJJ91M9A5f-eqhASDa-VCxbxzsfGA396kBTQ8XIVfR5YwgtslkbLgUzo-LsR57jjWJtkipHK6j1~hEGk77nuaYey72KtUvJd8oIjAmvTAxiCwXuBsdcxBnjhGxO4Sdxz~FU~kKHcbZQHh9jPyJFTZraNT2vj0cMwY20eEwt4Zwc19HkuwprcWC~bgAXNZfHTuutLbel4KMaq1s4-xgCNmedTn1n2WQldUEOjKRlyB2B~rh-ZoSOH7m~l057ai8yseznc~sawJNpvSxkkbGSMXrRUfMGoxq8pRfseV1lcXCPc4FsHZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Larry Schmiedel, superintendent of schools, told the Board of Education the district has submitted applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and to the Department of Homeland Security for mitigation funding related to a February disaster.

\"We've now submitted all of our applications. We're awaiting the CRC to improve the financials. Once they approve that, then it will go back out and we'll see what monies are available for mitigation. It could be anywhere from $6,000,000 to $10,000,000,\" Schmiedel said.

Nut graf: The district is simultaneously planning a capital project and a building condition survey; potential federal mitigation funding could pay for site improvements now on the capital list and reduce local taxpayer costs if awarded.

Schmiedel said the district has also submitted a separate Department of Homeland Security emergency services grant application that, if awarded, would pay for testing required for mitigation work and could assist the capital project. He said district staff had provided additional information to DHS in response to a request.

The superintendent said some items in the district’s capital project could be removed from the local capital scope if mitigation funds are awarded, but any changes depend on FEMA/CRC review and award decisions. \"So we're excited about that and all things are pointing in the right direction,\" Schmiedel said.

Discussion only: administrators reported they are waiting for federal review and for the CRC to complete financial reviews. No formal board action was recorded on the grant submissions at the meeting.

Background details shared at the meeting: the district conducts a building condition survey every five years and has been coordinating with FEMA and DHS across several months; detailed award amounts and conditions will be communicated after federal review.","Superintendent said applications to FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security have been submitted for mitigation funds tied to a February disaster; approvals and allocations are pending review, and awards could reduce local capital project scope.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":79,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":82,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6212238,"Watertown schools outline plan to adopt state-mandated cell‑phone policy by August",171,712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685841-177c8a56d18e2c7dc5be3af7b23e8a88&start=541&end=712","/articles/6212238/New-York/Watertown-schools-outline-plan-to-adopt-state-mandated-cellphone-policy-by-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212238-f62b6e126913aaa29d8e8510775b1e05/orig.mp4?Expires=1776289261&Signature=OmVuo8j6vo3JxGgRZtaM64C~9-fLrHypW28i6nbCbEGkYIgZ7tSy6rsMj-0V0thTetKPtK4ehUK8i0OGzF0DENrkApX3plFzG6YCP-gPk1PcqVAAboqIlQioqfqHq2J97UnXfwrZGLKEsX-8fU5mixb4DJv-pmyq34j-nN0-OC6ICUcOZH8hpIKubsFENXmIQVk6YScc58bCGw3233mbwHcbgU2XOoig9tsFHJsY8dEahY11xx1h07r8dRXyY52n~CrP0oXkoON2IvOcA5puFI3IuMk4cTeFbR0V25cdaNg1K4c~BywiCfGxs5n3C-mOw3MQKmz~xKol8PGijAL8oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Larry Schmiedel, superintendent of schools for the Watertown City School District, told the board the district will present a draft cell‑phone policy to the policy committee on June 17 and to the full board on July 17 with the goal of meeting the state deadline by Aug. 1.

The draft will implement a statewide law that limits student phone use during instructional time. \"Cell phones are not gonna be allowed, in schools used during instructional time,\" Schmiedel said, adding the district solicited input from union leadership, parent groups, a student advisory, staff advisory groups and the policy committee.

The nut graf: The policy change is legally mandated and will affect the district’s secondary schools first; the board must approve a policy that complies with the state law by the August 1 deadline, and the district is preparing procedures and communications for families and staff.

Board members and administrators said they gathered feedback from 22 parents who responded to an online survey and from several in‑person meetings. Schmiedel said secondary schools will adopt “green light spaces” where limited phone use is permitted outside instructional time and that main offices will provide a phone for parents to contact students when necessary.

Tina Lane, assistant superintendent for personnel and student services, and Schmiedel said the district plans to buy classroom storage boxes to secure devices at the elementary level (through sixth grade). Schmiedel said the law's implementation timeline gives the district a narrow window in July to finalize the policy and present it for board approval.

The board has not yet received a clear state funding allocation tied to the mandate. A board member asked how the state’s announced funding would be divided; Schmiedel responded that “right now, it’s a mandate that is not funded yet or at least we don’t know,” and that the district will track purchases so it can seek reimbursement if guidance or funds are later provided.

Discussion only: the board discussed logistics, communications with families, and how to structure secure storage at elementary schools. Direction: staff were instructed to present a draft policy to the policy committee on June 17 and to the board on July 17, with possible approval in July to meet the Aug. 1 requirement. No formal vote on the policy was recorded at the meeting.

The district plans to publish more details for parents about how to reach students during the school day and to use ParentSquare as a communications option for urgent school‑to‑home messages.","Superintendent Dr. Larry Schmiedel said the district will present a draft cell‑phone policy to the board on July 17 with a target to meet the state requirement by Aug. 1; funding and reimbursement from the state remain unclear.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parent praises district for neuroaffirming professional development; urges continued offerings

Board to seek construction manager as part of large capital project; officials flag local sourcing

Watertown expands summer offerings, adds special‑education classrooms and a pre‑K-to‑K bridging pilot

Watertown district seeks FEMA, DHS funds after February disaster; $6M–$10M mitigation possible

Watertown schools outline plan to adopt state-mandated cell‑phone policy by August