STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE RENSSELAER CITY
CONCERNING RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE
The Board of Education of the Rensselaer City School District is keenly aware of recent media coverage, both local mainstream and social, in which the District, it’s administration and staff, have been portrayed in a negative light because of allegations rendered by the parents of a District student, one of which is a recent former Board of Education member. We became aware through the media that a lawsuit that was filed against the District and certain current and former employees, on Sunday evening, based upon these allegations. Notably, some 14 months have passed since the time of the alleged underlying incident and the District’s response thereto. The Board has been aware of the alleged underlying incident and the District and School’s response since the alleged occurrence in mid-February 2024.
As a matter of course, the Board of Education does not comment on pending litigation. We will generally state that Legal Counsel has been appointed for the District and the individuals named in the Parents’ lawsuit, who we anticipate will provide a zealous defense to the allegations.
Nor will the Board comment or release information about any specific students. Accordingly, the Board will also not be releasing any information, exculpatory or otherwise, to the media or members of the public, concerning the allegations touted by the Parents and their attorney. While the underlying allegations, for which the District does possess records including video recordings, procured as a result of a comprehensive and timely investigation, primarily pertain to the Parents’ child, the video recordings of the purported incident also feature other District students, who are entitled to statutory confidentiality protections. .
The Board of Education has always, and will always, remain committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all of its students and staff. As a collective, we are parents, coaches, and educators, who believe in Rensselaer City School District’s mission and educational philosophy. We will continue to steadfastly support our District leadership, school building leadership, teachers, and staff, including the individuals who the Parents have specifically alleged committed wrongdoing, as they work constantly to provide such an environment for our students.