OCSD Discusses Regents Testing, Athletics During BOE Meeting

OSWEGO – School testing and athletics were main topics discussed during the OCSD Board of Education meeting, Tuesday, March 2.

Parents expressed concerns about end-of-year testing requirements for students during the open session portion on the meeting; also inquiring about schooling, school communication and COVID-19 safety concerns.

Information released last week from the Biden administration determined states will not be released from completing the Federal Standardized Testing Requirements for students. Superintendent Mathis Calvin III expressed his views concerning the decision.

“It was a surprise to many across the country, and certainly to us,” Calvin said. “How do we administer the test? We’re not sure yet. We’ve talked about doing some of it online [and] some of it with paper while people are here. We know that we can’t force people to come in to take the test. There’s a lot to still be worked out. So, that came out last week, and we just wanted to share that with the Board.”

Components of the decision include the following:

• States will be granted flexibility in how and when they administer annual tests, but will not be exempt from ELA, math and science testing requirements.
• Flexibility includes shorter or remote versions of the exam as well as extended testing windows.
• Students will not be made to come in to take the tests.
• Exam results will only be used to measure student learning.

The New York State Department of Education’s response to the Biden administraion requirements includes the following:

• The Board of Regents will be meeting this month to propose regulatory amendments so Regents exams would not be required to meet graduation requirements, and they will cancel any Regents exams not required by USDE.
• Grades 3-8 ELA, math and science must be administered.

New information emailed during the meeting last night from NYSDE include: Algebra 1, English Arts, Living Environment and Physical Earth Science are classes NYSED is looking at offering for June testing. More information regarding Regents testing will be decided during the March meeting as to which Regents will be deleted from the testing roster.

Concerning discussion of athletics during last night’s meeting, the Oswego County Health Department has issued updated guidance which now allows spectators at indoor and outdoor events beginning March 3.

The policy was revised to reflect new requirements for higher risk sports in Oswego County. The new guidance will be subject to change based on local positivity rates or the identification of new COVID variants within the county.

The new policy includes the following:

• Spectators must maintain six feet of distance.
• Spectators must wear face coverings when in common areas or when six feet of distance is unable to be maintained.
• Hand sanitizer will be maintained on site for employees, patrons, players, and spectators.
• Spectators will provide names and contact information for contact tracing purposes.
• Schools must have designated area for spectators/determine areas for spectator capacity.
• Limit two spectators per athlete or 50 percent of a schools spectator area capacity.
• Only home team spectators will be allowed for indoor athletic events.
• Schools competing in high-risk sporting events may travel to compete in any Section III county. This includes: Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Herkimer, Cortland, Chenango, and Tompkins counties.

At this time, swimming may not be included in the list due to concerns about space limitations. Calvin and the Board are working on a plan to make spectator presence possible.

Other items discussed during the meeting include the return of students to school and updates on the Flood Plain Emergency Remediation Plan.

To view the BOE agenda, please click here. All items discussed on the agenda were unanimously passed. All BOE meeting are held the first and third Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday on March 16 at 5:00 p.m. and can be viewed on the WBUC YouTube channel.

Calvin released a letter to the community today in regards to the BOE’s approval of some sports spectators.

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