By Doug La Rocque
Hoosick Falls Central School Superintendent Ken Facin told the School Board members gathered for its regular meeting on Thursday night, August 23, that the District has entered into a contract with the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department to employee a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO), for a three-year period. Mr. Facin said the officer, who is a longtime member of the Department and has done extensive work with students and young adults, will be a valuable asset to the District. He will be formally introduced at a ceremony planned for September 12.
Before the meeting started, the Board completed its annual walking tour of the buildings and grounds. They were quite impressed by the work the B and G Department had done over the summer months in preparation for the new school year. Mr. Facin and the Board expressed its thanks to the Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Paul Baker and his staff for a job well done.
The Board also praised the District’s sharing of services and venues with the Village, Town and the Hoosac School, all of which Mr. Facin said increases the level of services and opportunities for students, without adding costs.
Opioid Concerns
The opioid addiction problem continues to know no boundaries, crossing over lines of economics and of age. The District has been, and is continuing to, work with other districts throughout Rensselaer County to develop targeted programs, including those for students living with addicted parents.
Concentrating On the Lunch Program
Facin also talked about the concentrated efforts to reach out to all households that may be eligible for free or reduced student lunches. He indicated they will be very proactive including phone calls to previous participants, who may not have applied this year, to make sure they understand the new income limitations.
School Business Administrator Emily Sanders also told the Board a recent external audit of the district’s finance earned an A+, with no issues that needed to be address.