August 7, 2020
Dear School Community:
On August 7, Governor Cuomo announced schools in every region of the state can reopen in September.
According to the Governor, most reopening plans submitted by school districts across the state to the New York State Department of Education and New York State Department of Health were approved. However, 50 reopening plans were deemed “incomplete” or “deficient,” and those school districts will be notified by the state in the near future. We have every reason to believe our plan was complete and thorough. 
As part of the reopening process, the Governor is asking school districts to do the following:
Develop a plan for testing and tracing.
The Westmoreland Central School District’s reopening plan already addresses contact tracing. The district is awaiting further guidance from New York State and the Oneida County Department of Health about the development of a testing plan before one can be formed and implemented.
Develop a plan for remote learning.
The Westmoreland Central School District’s reopening plan already contains a plan for remote learning - - specifically for the Jr./Sr. High School. Please refer to the district’s reopening plan for further information.
Have at least three discussions with parents and staff.
The Westmoreland Central School District previously had at least three discussions with parents and staff. In July, school administration held a “Summer Bus Tour,” stopping at several places throughout the district to discuss the reopening of school and receive input from parents, guardians, staff, students and community members. The district also asked parents and guardians to complete a survey about the reopening of school. The district used feedback from the “Summer Bus Tour” and results from the survey to develop its reopening plan. We were already planning to have another series of meetings in the very near future to talk more specifically about our reopening plan and to answer any lingering questions. These meetings will be scheduled and announced to the school community as soon as the district receives more information on testing from New York State and Oneida County.
Governor Cuomo also says schools will close if a specific region’s infection rate rises above 9 percent. The Westmoreland Central School District is in the Mohawk Valley Region. As of August 7, the Mohawk Valley’s infection rate is 1.15 percent.
The reopening of schools is still an evolving situation. Please check the district website daily for updates.
Sincerely,
Rocco Migliori
Superintendent of Schools