The events of the past few weeks involving the Watervliet
Police Department have been difficult and challenging for the school district,
for our school families and for the community as a whole. The unsettling news of
broken trust and alleged criminal activity has shaken our confidence in those
who are sworn to protect and serve the community and uphold the law.
As I said from the outset, the charges against Joshua
Spratt, a Watervliet police officer and the district’s former School Resource
Officer, are deeply upsetting, and if true, are an egregious and unforgivable
betrayal of the trust we all placed in him. As the superintendent of schools, I
have taken personally the events that have unfolded in recent weeks because our
families entrust educators with the safety and well-being of their children. I want
to reiterate and to reassure our students, our parents and our staff that district
officials followed proper procedure by reporting to Mr. Spratt’s superiors at the
Watervliet Police Department the rumor that began circulating about his interactions with students.
This alarming incident has been a learning experience for us
all, and that is why on opening day for staff this year, I have invited state law
enforcement to speak to faculty and staff and review the appropriate protocol
for reporting an allegation, however implausible it may seem, when the safety
of our students is involved.
In the meantime, the investigation into Mr. Spratt and other
members of the Watervliet Police Department is ongoing. District officials and
I remain in contact with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office and the
New York State Police. We have and we will continue to fully comply with the
law enforcement agencies conducting the investigation.
I strongly encourage parents, students and/or staff who have
concerns to contact me at any time. I again remind parents, students, staff and
community members who may have information that may be relevant to the case to
contact State Police investigators at 518-782-3211.
With classes starting in a few short weeks, our focus is to
move past this troubling incident and help our students begin the new school year
on a positive note.
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