Special Education Services Notice

Chapter 434 of the Laws of 2014 amended Education Law § 4402 effective July 1, 2015 to require public schools to notify every parent of their rights regarding referral and evaluation of their child for purposes of special education services or programs upon their child’s enrollment or attendance in a public school. This notification must be provided to parents of all students in the district—not just parents of students with disabilities.

The District provides special education services and programs to students with disabilities pursuant to applicable federal and state laws. Any parent or person in parental relation who suspects that his/her child has a disability may refer the child for an evaluation by the District’s Committee on Special Education (CSE) for eligibility for special education services and programs. More detailed information on this process is available in A Parent’s Guide to Special Education, which is published on the New York State Education Department’s website in English1 and Spanish.2 Parents or persons in parental relation should contact the District’s CSE Chairperson, Allen Gravell, at 518-358-6630.

1 The English version 
2 The Spanish version

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) took effect on July 1, 2012. Just as with the district’s Code of Conduct, the new law seeks to provide the State’s public school students and staff with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. The Dignity Act includes, but is not limited to, acts of discrimination and harassment based on a student’s race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (defined to include gender identity or expression), or sex.

Dignity for All Students Act (DFASA) Compliance Officers:

• Salmon River Elementary School: Benjamin Barkley , (518) 358-6670
• Salmon River Elementary School: Leigh Oakes, (518) 358-6670
• St. Regis Mohawk School: Alison Benedict, (518) 358-2763
• Salmon River Middle School: Tammy Russell, (518) 358-6650
• Salmon River Middle School: Melissa Childs, (518) 358-6650
• Salmon River High School: Teresa Van Dunk (518) 358-6620
• Salmon River High School: Lorraine Childs (518) 358-6620

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

As required under FERPA, the district would like to inform parents/guardians, and students 18 years of age or older currently in attendance, to their right to:

• Inspect and review the student’s education records
• Request that records be amended to ensure that they are accurate and not misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights
• Control disclosures from the student’s education records, with certain exceptions

Notice of Non-Discrimination

This notification is to certify that The Salmon River Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, political affiliation, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic pre-disposition or carrier status, ancestry, disability or any other legally protected status in regard to employment opportunities or educational/vocational programs or activities which it operates.

Anyone who believes he/she has been subjected to prohibited discrimination, harassment or intimidation or who has witnessed anyone engaging in such prohibited activity should immediately contact his or her supervisor (if an employee) and the District’s designated Compliance Officer. If, for any or no reason, anyone is hesitant to bring the matter to the attention of his or her supervisor (if an employee) or the District’s designated Compliance Officer, a report can be properly made to Dr. Stanley Harper, Salmon River Superintendent of Schools. Inquiries concerning non-discrimination policies and procedures may be referred to the District’s designated Compliance Officer. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX (which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex) and its implementing regulations, as well as the other nondiscrimination policies, may be referred to the District’s Compliance Officer or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

The District’s designated Compliance Officer responsible for the above compliances is the Director of Instruction, Salmon River Central School District, 637 County Route 1, Fort Covington, New York 12937, (518) 358-6669. The Director of Instruction will provide information, including complaint procedures, to any student, employee or person who feels that his or her rights have been violated.