SSCSD Board of Education Meeting: Updates as of Dec. 7

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District held a Board of Education meeting on Dec. 7. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton gave a district health & safety update, and the Transportation Department gave their annual report. To view the full meeting and the annual report on district transportation, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4DiZ5odXow. 

During the public comment period, several district residents spoke to garner support for a new capital project that would include an indoor pool on school grounds. They stated that the varsity and modified swim/dive teams rely on the Saratoga Regional YMCA and Skidmore College for pool time. A pool would save the district money and generate revenue, as well as provide opportunities to host meets and tournaments and for grade schoolers to take swimming lessons. 

Health & Safety Updates 

Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton announced that the seven-day rolling average for positivity rate in Saratoga County is at 7.2%, and that increase in positive COVID cases are consistent with other regions across the state. Since the beginning of the 2021-22 school year SSCSD has had 284 cases of COVID among students and staff, and 105 are currently in quarantine. 

By encouragement of the County and State Departments of Health, school districts are asked to continue offering vaccination clinics. As long as there is a high demand for the vaccinations in the district, including for the next eligible age group of 5- to 11-year-olds, SSCSD will be scheduling additional clinics in January. 

Dr. Patton was also able to provide and update on South Glens Falls “Test to Stay” pilot program. Over three weeks, they have tested 1,000 students, and those tests have saved over 900 instructional days for kids who would otherwise be quarantined. 

Due to the supply chain demand, there is currently an issue in getting these rapid tests, but local school district officials were scheduled to have a meeting on Dec. 8 to discuss the potential of implementing the “Test to Stay” protocols across Saratoga County.