WATERVLIET, N.Y. -- After a long, scandal-ridden summer, and just a week after one of its teachers was arrested, Watervliet High School is preparing for students to return to classes Wednesday. Teachers and administrators were back for a conference day on Tuesday, including an appearance by Karen Magee, president of the New York State United Teachers.
The "back to school" preparation comes after two adults with direct ties to the Watervliet City School District were arrested during the summer. Former science teacher Patrick Kanniff resigned his post last week, after allegations surfaced that he sent explicit text messages and photos to a young female student. Kanniff was charged for endangering the welfare of a child.
In July, the district's school resource officer, Watervliet policeman Joshua Spratt, was also arrested for inappropriate conduct with minors. Court papers revealed that Spratt is accused of sexual relations with underage female students at least once in a car at a district parking lot. Spratt is on a police department-supervised leave, pending investigation of his case.
District Superintendent Dr. Lori Caplan said Tuesday that the presence of students should help things return to normal in the district.
"What happened over the summer, happened," she said. "Some adults made some really bad decisions. We have moved on, and the healing process has begun."
Caplan explained that the Watervliet Police Department has suspended its school resource officer partnership with the high school. To fill the void of mentor and mediator, the district has dedicated its SRO funding to a new "dean of students" job, which will be filled by a district teacher on special assigment.
The superintendent also insisted that the lack of an officer in the hallways will not affect student safety. Caplan says that Spratt had only worked at the high school three days each week. Without him, the district still carries a number of hall monitors with radio communication, has a singular secured entranceway, and Watervliet Police keep regular patrols through the area.
The district does have plans to revisit the SRO position in coming years, with the possibility of reinstating the practice.