Middleburgh Central School District > About Us > Required Notifications

Required Notifications

Table of Contents

Annual Fire Inspection Report

The Middleburgh Central School District has passed its annual fire inspection and submitted a fire inspection report to the NYS Education Department. The fire inspections were completed at all school buildings on October 4, 2023.

Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for 2023-2024 of the Middleburgh Central School District for fire hazards that might endanger the lives of students, teachers, and employees therein has been completed, and the report thereof is available for inspection in the Director of Facilities office located at 164 Main Street, PO Box 606, Middleburgh, NY 12122 for inspection by all interested persons. If you would like to make an appointment to review the inspection report, please contact Bill Himme, Director of Facilities, 518-827-3630.

Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) Plans

New York State Education Law requires school districts to post their APPR plans to their district website. Read Middleburgh’s APPR plan here. 

Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) Scores

New York State Education Law requires each classroom teacher and school principal to receive an annual professional performance review (APPR) that results in a composite effectiveness score and rating. All parents/guardians have the right to obtain APPR quality ratings and composite effectiveness scores for their child’s current teacher(s) and principal(s) once they are available. To initiate this request, please contact the superintendent’s office at 518-827-3625.

Asbestos Management Plan

As required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Middleburgh Central School District maintains asbestos management plans for district buildings. The Asbestos Management Plan is available for review in the Business Office, located at 291 Main Street in Middleburgh inside the Middleburgh Jr./Sr. High School and is available for review during normal business hours. Currently, there are no upcoming projects planned that will disturb asbestos-containing material.

Attendance Policy

Being present in school is essential for students to make academic progress. The objective of the district’s comprehensive attendance policy is to promote student attendance and identify the process used to address issues related to unexcused absences, incidents of tardiness and early departures. The district’s comprehensive attendance policy can be found here.

Body Mass Index 

New York State requires schools to track each student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status category as part of school health examinations. Every year, the NYS Department of Health will survey some schools for the number of pupils in each of six possible weight status categories. If the Middleburgh Central School District is surveyed by the state, the district will share summary group data only and will not share individual names or information. Parents who wish to exclude their child’s data from such group calculations must contact the child’s school nurse. 

Child Abuse Hotline

If you suspect a child is being abused or maltreated (neglected), report it by calling 1-800-342-3720, a toll-free 24-hour hotline operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department. Information about reporting child abuse and maltreatment (neglect) is available online at http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/.

Code of Conduct

The MCS Code of Conduct applies to all students, school personnel, parents and visitors when on school property—including school buses and school-owned vehicles—or when attending a school-sponsored function.

Information on the Code of Conduct is shared with students at the beginning of every school year. You can view the complete Code of Conduct here, refer to your child’s student handbook, or contact your child’s school principal.

Comprehensive Wellness Policy

The Board of Education recognizes that good health fosters student attendance and education and those students need nourishing foods and physical activity in order to grow, learn, and thrive. Middleburgh Central School District is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children’s health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating, physical activity, and lifelong wellness skills. View the MCSD Wellness policy.

Dignity for All Students Act

In accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act, Education Law, Article 2, the Middleburgh Central School District will strive to create an environment free of bullying, discrimination and/or harassment based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex by school employees or students on school property and at school-sponsored activities and events that take place at locations off school property. Incidents of bullying, discrimination and/or harassment should be reported to your child’s building’s DASA coordinator. For the Elementary School, that is Amy Irwin at (518) 827-3600 ext. 1678. For the Jr./Sr. High School, that is Matthew Sloane at 518-827-3600 ext. 2612  More information on the district’s DASA policy can be found here.

Drug-Free/Tobacco-Free School Zone

Middleburgh Central School District is considered a Drug-Free/Tobacco-Free School Zone. Anyone arrested and convicted of selling or using illegal drugs within 1,000 feet of school property would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the civil authorities. The penalties are harsher than those in the community at large.

Ed Law 2

New York State Education Law gives you the right to information about how Middleburgh Central  is safeguarding student and staff data.
Read the Bill of Rights. 

Review our Data Security and Privacy Policy. 
If at any time the district learns that student and/or teacher/principal data has been compromised, parents and guardians will be notified, and the data breach will be reported to the state Education Department. Parents who
have concerns or complaints about data privacy or security may file a complaint by contacting Superintendent Mark Place at (518) 827-3625.  

Read more detailed information here.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides parents/guardians and students who are 18 years of age or older (known as “eligible students”) with certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. Parent/guardians and eligible students have the right to:

Inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day a request for access is received by the school. These requests should be made by calling (518) 827-3625;

Request an amendment of the student’s education records that the parent/guardian or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights;

Provide written consent before the school discloses potentially identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent;

File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202

Firearms Prohibition

Police officers on duty are the only people permitted on school property to have a weapon in their possession. No student shall bring a firearm on any portion of the premises of a school owned or controlled by this school  district.  In accordance with the Gun Free Schools Act of 1994, any student who, after a hearing held pursuant to Education Law Section 3214, is found guilty of bringing a firearm onto the premises of any school owned or controlled by MCS will be subject to a penalty of at least a one-year suspension from school.

Fiscal Transparency Documents

Middleburgh Central School District’s 5 year plan: 2020-2025

Free Meal Information and Application

Hunger will never be a barrier to learning at Middleburgh Central School District.  Regardless of income, all students will receive FREE breakfast and lunch during the 2023-24 school year.  This is made possible through the Child Nutrition Community Eligibility Program.   In addition, any student participating in the Advantage After-School Program will be provided with a nutritional snack each day.

Families of secondary students are encouraged to fill out and submit a household income verification form.  Filling out the form is encouraged because your child may qualify for other benefits like free field trips and waivers for college testing and entrance fees.   Please contact the main office of the Jr/Sr High school for the form.

Grade Promotion and Placement Policy

Decisions about student promotion and placement are at the discretion of the building principals and the superintendent. These decisions are guided by recommendations of teachers and staff members, past academic performance and parent/guardian input. Past academic performance refers to a variety of indicators about student achievement and growth. The district’s promotion and placement policy was adopted by the board of education following a review by the district administration. You can read the full Grade Promotion and Placement Policy here.

Homeless Students

Homeless students and unaccompanied youths have the right to: attend the school they previously attended or to attend school in the district of current location; be enrolled even though the admission requirements have not been completed and prior student records are not available; and transportation to and from school. For more information, please contact Stella Ritter, homeless children and youth liaison, at (518) 827-3600 ext. 3681

Idling School Buses on School Grounds

State law requires school districts to take steps to minimize the idling of the engines of school buses and other school vehicles on school grounds. While students are boarding and departing school buses, the engine should be turned off. Students should be instructed about the importance of getting on and off buses in an orderly and efficient fashion to minimize loading and offloading time. Bus engines should also be off while parked at sporting events and other school activities. Exceptions to this “no idling” policy can be made in cases of emergency, mechanical issues or for necessary heating.

Immunization Requirements

The following mandatory immunizations and doses are required for students entering or attending school in New York State during the 2023-24 school year.

Prekindergarten (Day Care, Head Start, Nursery or Pre-K)

  • Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine and Pertussis vaccine (DTaP): 3 doses
  • Polio vaccine (IPV/OPV): 3 doses
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR): 1 dose
  • Hepatitis B vaccine: 3 doses
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine: 1 dose
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (Hib): 1 to 4 doses
  • Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV): 1 to 4 doses

Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2

  • Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine and Pertussis vaccine (DTaP): 5 doses or 4 doses (if the 4th dose was received at 4 years of age or older)
  • Polio vaccine (IPV/OPV): 4 doses 
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR): 2 doses
  • Hepatitis B vaccine: 3 doses 
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine: 2 doses

Grades 3, 4 and 5

  • Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine and Pertussis vaccine (DTaP/DTP/Tdap): 5 doses or 4 doses (if the 4th dose was received at 4 years of age or older)
  • Polio vaccine (IPV/OPV): 4 doses
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR): 2 doses
  • Hepatitis B vaccine: 3 doses 
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine: 2 dose

Grades 6, 7 and 8

  • Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine and Pertussis vaccine (DTaP/Tdap): 4-5 doses
  • Tetanus and Diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine and Pertussis vaccine booster (Tdap): 1 dose
  • Polio vaccine (IPV/OPV): 4 doses 
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR): 2 doses
  • Hepatitis B vaccine: 3 doses 
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine: 2 doses
  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY): 1 dose by grade 7

Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

  • Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine and Pertussis vaccine (DTaP/Tdap): 4-5 doses
  • Tetanus and Diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine and Pertussis vaccine booster (Tdap): 1 dose
  • Polio vaccine (IPV/OPV): 4 doses
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR): 2 doses
  • Hepatitis B vaccine: 3 doses 
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine: 2 dose
  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY): For grade 12: 2 doses or 1 dose if the dose was received at 16 years of age or older

Please click here for the district’s policy on immunizations.

Integrated Pest Management

New York State Education Law requires schools to provide written notification to all parents/guardians and staff members regarding the potential use of pesticides periodically throughout the school year. The district maintains a list of all individuals who wish to receive 48-hour prior written notification of certain pesticide applications. If you would like to receive 48-hour notifications of pesticide applications that are scheduled to occur, please call (518) 827-3600 ext. 3620. In the event of an emergency application necessary to protect against an imminent threat to human health, a good faith effort will be made to supply written notification to those on the 48-hour prior notification list. Some pesticide applications are not subject to notification requirements, including anti-microbial products, EPA-designated biopesticides and exempt materials, and when a school remains unoccupied for a continuous 72-hours following an application.

Instructional Technology Plan

As required by Commissioner’s Regulation 100.12, the Middleburgh Central School District maintains a Instructional Technology Plan to help support achievement and engagement through the seamless integration of technology into teaching and learning, improve learning experiences for students and increase equitable access to technology-rich learning experiences for students and staff. Middleburgh Central School District’s tech plan is available here.

Lead Testing

On Sept. 6, 2016, New York became the first state in the nation to require all public schools and BOCES to test all sources of drinking water for lead. If a water outlet is found to have a lead level above the state’s “action level” of 15 parts per billion (ppb), a school district must: take immediate steps to prohibit use of the outlet for drinking or cooking purposes; implement an appropriate remediation plan; and ensure that students and staff have an adequate supply of water for drinking and cooking while remedial steps are taken.

To find out more about the water testing process and results at MCS, view our page on water testing here.

Military Recruiters and Institutes of Higher Education Access to High School Student Information *

Pursuant to federal law, the Middleburgh Central School District must provide military recruiters and institutions of higher education, upon request, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of high school students. Parents/guardians or students age 18 or older who do not want this information released to military recruiters and/or institutes of higher education should contact the Counseling Center at (518) 827-3600 ext. 2601.

New York State ESSA-Funded Programs Complaint Procedures

The link below connects to the process for resolving complaints submitted to the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of ESSA-Funded Programs alleging that a local educational agency (LEA), grantee or NYSED has violated a law, rule, or regulation in the administration of any “covered Federal program” under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) identified below.

https://www.nysed.gov/essa/new-york-state-essa-funded-programs-complaint-procedures

New York State Report Card

New York State Education Law requires school districts to make report card and accountability report information available on district websites. Click to view Middleburgh’s report card.

Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

The Middleburgh Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, military status or any other protected status in its educational programs, employment, or any other activities. Further, it is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against any individual because that person filed a complaint, opposed any unlawful practice or testified or assisted in an investigation or proceeding. Any inquiries and complaints regarding non-discrimination in the district may be referred to Matthew Sloane 518-827-3600 ext. 2612. or Kelly Pacatte at (518) 827-3600 ext. 2615.

Participating in Graduation Ceremonies by All Eligible Students

Any student who has satisfactorily completed all graduation requirements will be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony and all related graduation activities.

The District permits any student to participate in the graduation ceremony and all related graduation activities of his or her high school graduating class, if the student has been awarded a Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential or a Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential, but has not otherwise qualified to receive a Regents or local diploma. While permitted to participate, these students are not required to participate in the graduation ceremony or related graduation activities of his or her high school graduating class. For purposes of this policy, a student’s high school graduating class is the twelfth grade class with which he or she entered into ninth grade.

Release of Student Directory Information *

Consistent with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the district has designated certain categories of personally identifiable information that it may release without prior written consent. This is known as “directory information.” The purpose of doing this is to enable student activities and accomplishments to be publicized and for the creation of such publications as the annual yearbook, programs for graduation, concerts and other special events, sports activity sheets and honor roll or recognition lists. Achievements are typically publicized on the school website and through school district social media, press releases to the local media and official district publications. Directory information can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks.

The district has designated the following types of information as directory information:

  1. Student’s name
  2. The names of the student’s parents
  3. The student’s address
  4. The student’s date of birth
  5. The student’s grade
  6. The student’s extracurricular participation
  7. The student’s achievement awards or honors
  8. The student’s weight and height if a member of an athletic team
  9. The student’s photograph
  10. The school or district the student attended before he or she enrolled in the Middleburgh Central School District

If you do not want any or all of these types of information released pertaining to your child without your prior written consent, please send this request in writing to your child’s building principal before September 30th of each school year.

School Budget Documents

New York State Education Law requires the Middleburgh Central School District to provide a detailed statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes, specifying the several purposes and the amount for each. Please see our budget page.

School Counseling/Guidance Programs

Web posting – New York State Education Law requires the Middleburgh Central School District to develop district-wide and building-level comprehensive developmental school counseling guidance plans
and to post these plans on district websites. These plans are presented below.

Guidance Program (K through 6)

A coordinated guidance program in grades K through 6 shall be developed and
implemented to:

  • Prepare students to participate effectively in their current and future educational programs;
  • Help those students exhibiting any attendance, academic, behavioral or adjustment problems;
  • Educate students concerning avoidance of child sexual abuse; and
  • Encourage parental involvement.

Guidance Program (7 through 12)

A coordinated guidance program in grades 7 through 12 shall be developed and implemented including the following activities and services:

  • Each student’s educational progress and career plans will be reviewed annually;
  • Instruction at each grade level to help students learn about various careers and career planning skills;
  • Other advisory and counseling assistance which will benefit students such as: helping students develop and implement postsecondary education and career plans; helping those students exhibiting any behavioral or adjustment problems; and encouraging parental involvement;
  • Employment of personnel certified or licensed as school counselors.

School-Level Spending Reports

All New York school districts that receive Foundation Aid are required to annually submit a detailed statement of the total expenditures projected to be allocated to each school in the district for the current budget year, 2020-21. Because Middleburgh Central School District receives Foundation Aid, we have submitted this information to the state and are also required to provide the statement on our website. It is important to note that this is based on budgeted allocations and not actual expenses. 

School Meals: Prohibition Against Meal Shaming

It is the District’s goal to provide students with access to nutritious no- or low-cost meals each school day and to ensure that a student whose parent/guardian has unpaid meal charges is not shamed or treated differently than a student whose parent/guardian does not have unpaid meal charges.

Unpaid meal charges place a large financial burden on the District. The purpose of this policy is to ensure compliance with federal requirements for the USDA Child Nutrition Program and to provide oversight and accountability for the collection of outstanding student meal balances to ensure that the student is not stigmatized, distressed, or embarrassed.

The intent of this policy is to establish procedures to address unpaid meal charges throughout the District in a way that does not stigmatize, distress, or embarrass students. The provisions of this policy pertain to regular priced reimbursable school breakfast, lunch and snack meals only. Charging of items outside of the reimbursable meals (a la carte items, adult meals, etc.) is expressly prohibited.

School Safety Plan (SAVE)

As required by state education law, the Middleburgh Central School District maintains a district-wide safety plan and must post this plan on its website. This plan is designed to prevent or minimize the effects of violent incidents and emergencies and to facilitate the coordination of schools and school districts with local and county resources in the events of such incidents or emergencies. The full district-wide safety plan can be viewed here.

Sexual Harassment Prevention 

It is the policy of the district not to discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, national origin or age in its educational programs, activities, or employment, in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For more information on this policy, contact Title IX Officers Matthew Sloane 518-827-3600 ext. 2612 or Kelly Pacatte at (518) 827-3600 ext. 2615.

Smart Schools Investment Plan

As required by the Smart Schools Bond Act (SSBA) Implementation Guidance, the Middleburgh Central School District must post a final Smart Schools Investment Plan on its website. This plan is designed for the district to
participate in the Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014, which was passed in the 2014-15 Enacted Budget and approved by the voters in a statewide referendum held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The act authorized the state
to finance $2 billion in for educational technology and infrastructure to improve learning and opportunity for New York students. Middleburgh Central School District ’s plan is available here.

Special Education, Home-Instructed

New York State notice: Special Education and Homeschool Students:

Information concerning the provision of special education services to home-instructed (home-schooled) students.

Special Education, Maintenance of Records

MCS has an obligation to evaluate, with parental consent, and offer a free and appropriate public education to students with disabilities who are residents of the district and who require specialized instruction and/or other special accommodations to access district educational services and programs.

In compliance with Public Law 94-192, MCS maintains in each of its schools programs for students who have been identified as having disabilities. Contact your child’s school principal to discuss whether a referral to the Committee on Special Education or the 504 team is appropriate. Confidential records of students with disabilities are kept at the district office, and CSE designates, in writing, school personnel who have access to these records. A child’s records are always available for review by the child’s parents/guardian. If you have questions, call (518) 827-3600 ext. 3681

Staff Qualifications: Parents’ Right to Know

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents/guardians have the right to know the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers, including:

  • Whether a teacher has a state certification for the grade levels and subjects her or she is teaching;
  • The teacher’s baccalaureate degree major and any other certifications or degrees; and
  • Whether their child receives services from paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Parents/guardians may request their child’s classroom teacher’s professional qualifications by contacting the District Office at (518) 827-3625.

In addition, schools receiving Title I funds must give parents/guardians notice in the event that:

  • Their child has been assigned to a teacher of a core academic subject who is not “highly qualified,” and/or
  • Their child has been taught for four or more weeks in a row by a teacher of a core academic subject who is not “highly qualified.”

Student Privacy (Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment)

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment provides parents/guardians with certain rights regarding the conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. In particular, if a survey is funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education, parents/guardians have the right to consent before students are required to complete a survey that asks about any of the following protected areas:

  • Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parents/guardians;
  • Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
  • Sexual behavior or attitudes;
  • Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
  • Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
  • Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
  • Religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or
  • Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

Parents/guardians will also receive a notice and an opportunity to opt students out of the following:

  • Any other survey that asks about the above protected areas;
  • Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attending school or school functions, with the exception of physical exams or screenings required or permitted by state law (e.g. hearing, vision or scoliosis); and
  • Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

Parents/guardians have the right to inspect any surveys that ask about the above protected areas, as well as surveys created by third parties that are used to collect personal information from students for marketing purposes and instructional materials used as part of the curriculum.

The school district will directly notify parents/guardians of its student privacy policy at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. Parents/guardians will also be provided with reasonable notification of specific activities or surveys covered by this policy and the ability to opt their child out of such activities.

These rights transfer from the parents/guardians to their child who is at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor.

Anyone who believes their rights have been violated may file a complaint with: Family Policy Compliance Office; U.S. Department of Education; 400 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, D.C. 20202.

You can read the district’s full policy here.

Student Publicity

To recognize student achievement and/or to depict student activities at Middleburgh Central Schools, students’ names, grade levels, photos, and class work may be published on the MCS website/social media sites, in school publications, and/or released to the media in the form of a press release. Parents who object to the use of their child’s name or image for such purposes should notify BOTH the Superintendent and their child’s building principal in writing before the start of school.

PLEASE NOTE: While the District will honor the request of any parent who has submitted written notification opting their child out of publicity efforts, the district is not responsible for media that covers news happenings, sporting events or school events.

Teacher Qualifications

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents/guardians have the right to know the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers, including:

  • Whether a teacher has state certification for the grade levels and subjects he or she is teaching;
  • The teacher’s baccalaureate degree major and any other certifications or degrees;
  • Whether their child receives services from paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Parents/guardians may request their child’s classroom teacher’s professional qualifications by contacting their child’s building principal.

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