PRESSRELEASE

Watertown City School District, 1351 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601 (315) 785-3705 Fax: (315) 785-6855

For Immediate Release

In regards to a recent issue that occurred at the Watertown City School District involving
a teacher’s class at the fourth-grade level, the Board of Education wants to update the public on
the investigation. This matter continues to be thoroughly investigated by District personnel and
the Districts’ attorneys. The matter will be dealt with in accordance with the law. The Board of
Education wants to assure the public that it has in place very strong and effective policies that
prohibit discrimination in the workplace and in the schoolhouse. District staff and students are
trained in those policies.

The Board of Education denies the allegation that it may have violated the State’s Open
Meetings Law as mentioned in recent media reports. Several members of the public wished to
speak on the matter to the Board. Since those issues involved the possible identity of the students
involved in the matter and since those comments likely involved a particular staff member who
may or may not have been accused of wrongdoing, the Board exercised its rightful, legal option
to meet with those individuals in Executive Session where those confidential matters could be
discussed. This practice is entirely consistent with the Open Meetings Law. The Committee on
Open Government has ruled that the practice of allowing a member of the public to address the
Board on a confidential matter involving student information and/or personnel information in
Executive Session may be permitted where confidential information is discussed. The purpose
of this practice is to facilitate the discussion of the matter made confidential by law. There was
no violation of the Open Meetings Law and the suggestion in the recent news reports is simply
incorrect.

The public can be assured that the Board of Education is taking all necessary and
appropriate steps to remedy this matter. However, the law regarding confidentiality of such
matters must be followed.

Watertown City School District

Board of Education