Watkins waits on state guidance for next steps

Watkins waits on state guidance for next steps

WATKINS GLEN--Watkins Glen Central School District Superintendent Greg Kelahan expressed frustration with fellow superintendents in the region and some district stakeholders regarding reopening plans mandated by the state. Kelahan said some other school districts have overstepped their authority regarding reopening plans which can give the impression the ones that haven't are somehow in a worse position or unprepared.
"I won't get into the chit chat and white noise, and dignify the impugning characterizations of my integrity or decision making or commitment to the children and staff," said Kelahan. "I won't even go there. I signed up for risk management, part of what I have to do is care about every staff member and child equally."
Adding that if only five parents are complaining by email or only several staff members, it is a small minority of 230 staff members, over 1,000 students and over 600 families in the district.
Beyond that Kelahan said that he gets frustrated when he hears from a parent or student that another district has already figured out how they plan to reopen.
"No, but here [are] the three plans (as mandated by the state that we have come up with)," Kelahan stated. "The governor gets to decide, (which plan will be used) not us and until he says what we can and can not do this is all 'here's what we think we can do.' But no one has picked one yet."
Kelahan also expressed frustration with regional districts, which include the Horseheads Central School District and Penn Yan Central School District who have already offered parents the option for either in-school learning or remote learning when the school year begins.
"I do not have the authority to let children learn remotely or to let employees work remotely," Kelahan said. "Any district saying otherwise is not being truthful. I don't have the ability to let children learn from home."
The reason being, Kelahan said, is in order to allow teachers to work remotely or live-stream classes would require negotiations with the teachers union and alterations to the teacher contract and the governor, as of yet, has not waived requirements for schools regarding attendance, testing taking and more.
Kelahan also mentioned it makes him angry to see word come from other school districts that they have already picked a model to reopen under when the governor has not given any instructions on the matter yet.
"It's laughable if not so infuriating that districts are saying we've done the hybrid; no you're not," Kelahan said. "You are not being honest with your community. The governor has not said what schools can do yet, so schools that don't (say what their plan is to reopen yet) get hit with accusations. I can't wait until the end of the week, if they say remote, all those districts that promised hybrid models will rescind it. All districts in the paper saying we are doing this or that, no you're not. (Stuff like that) destroys the rest of us that reads and follows directions."
Board President Gloria Brubaker responded she has not heard districts say they plan to open under a hybrid model without governor approval, only that they would use a specific hybrid model if necessary.
Later in the meeting, Brubaker asked Kelahan if it would be possible for members of the committee that devised the three plans to meet with the board of education to discuss the process used to create the plans.
"I am supposed to be the liaison between the board and [the] organization, it's why you hire a superintendent, it messes with the organization to (go around that structure)," said Kelahan. Kelahan then added if the board was instead concerned with the accuracy of which Kelahan was relaying the information from the committee meetings, that would be a different matter entirely.
"You guys tasked me with the job, if you are questioning if you are getting an accurate retelling, that's a different conversation you need to have with me privately," Kelahan added. "The superintendent has a certain job and board members have a certain job. We can share who was on the committees but you shouldn't be at these conversations unless [you are] wearing a mom or dad hat."
Board member Theresa Butler disagreed.
"I don't think it's difficult to change hats (between a board member and parent). If that's the problem I don't think that is an issue," Butler said.