BY MATT LINDSEYNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — More than two dozen new staff members have been hired for the 2024-25 school year at Ogdensburg City School District, which begins Sept. 5.

Superintendent Kevin Kendall says the district will look to tackle chronic absenteeism and will implement a new math program for its youngest students. Meals will once again be free for all students.

At the elementary level nine new teachers join the ranks. Don Albert will teach grade 5 at J.F. Kennedy School, Abraham Baxter will teach special education at Madill, Jillian DiSalvo will teach grade 1 at JFK, Regan Kelly will teach grade 1 at JFK, Janise Ladouceur will teach grade 6 at Madill, Sadie O'Neil will teach grade 4 at JFK, Andrew Rupert will teach special education at JFK, Amy Farrell will teach physical education at Madill, and Joshua Myers will teach physical education at JFK.

The district also has hired eight new secondary teachers. They include chemistry teacher Samuel Falicia, social studies teacher Ryan Hewer, math-science teacher Allexa Hooper, social studies teacher Emmalie Ladouceur, health teacher Magaret Rider, family and consumer science teacher Jordyn Sweeney, art teacher Julia Jones, and physical education teacher Al Benda.

Tapanga Barr (special education office), and Andrea Piercey (OFA grades 7-12) join the district as keyboard specialists.

New teaching assistants to begin the year are Cooper Beaudin, Emma Murray, and Nathaniel Weidel.

New bus drivers transporting students will be Joseph Martin and David Troiano. Harold King has been hired as a bus monitor.

“We are implementing a new Mathematics program for all students in Grades UPK to 6, called Reveal Math,” Kendall said.

Reveal Math is described as a balanced elementary math program, developing the problem solvers of tomorrow by incorporating both inquiry-focused and teacher-guided instructional strategies within each lesson.

In order to teach students, they first must get them in the classroom.

“Our focus this year will be in the area of chronic absenteeism,” Kendall said.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as having missed 10% or more of a school year.

“That would equate to having missed 18 or more days of school in a school year,” the super said. 

Currently, Ogdensburg district enrollment is at 1400, down from 1440 last year. 

“We are still enrolling new students and that number could change,” Kendall said.

Breakfast and lunch will continue to be free for all students through the Community Eligibility Program. No action is needed by parents.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded access to the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP allows eligible schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to offer free school meals to all students.