Superintendent Stephen Penhollow on Tuesday briefed the board of education on the upgrades, which include a remodeling of the Falconer cafeteria, telecommunications upgrades and classroom redesign.

“We’re averaging between 65 and 75 workers on our grounds each day. The vast majority of this is happening at the middle/high school,” Penhollow said.

Thanks to last year’s renovation of the Falconer athletic facility, the class of 2020 was provided with a new venue for their graduation ceremony two weeks prior.

“I’d just like to thank everyone that helped make our graduation a success,” Falconer High School Principal Jeffrey Jordan said. “It was very nice to see our class of 2020 together again, and the night was a success.”

Falconer Superintendent Stephen Penhollow, left, swears his oath as it is read by District Clerk Brent Agett. P-J photo by Jay Young

Board president Todd Beckerink expressed praise for the transition to a COVID-19 conscious graduation ceremony, and expressed an interest in keeping graduation outdoors at the new athletic facility if possible.

“My personal feeling is, I would like to see us continue using the athletic facility in the future,” Beckerink said. “I think the kids really liked being at the school, and if it is nice weather and we are not under the coronavirus, I think you would have a great deal of people showing up in those stands.”

The class of 2020 graduated 81 seniors, with 29 planning to attend four-year colleges, 31 attending two-year institutions and four joining the armed forces.

As part of a preliminary reorganizational meeting, Beckerink was reappointed as board president, Tom Frederes as vice president and Rose Ann Woodard swore her oath after being elected to the board. The board also accepted the resignation of Diane Buccilli, who has served the Falconer community for many years.

In other business, the board discussed a number of issues related to COVID-19 restrictions and reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year.

“COVID-19 is going to play a whole new role as to what school looks like and who is coming back to school,” Penhollow said. “Generally we find out what is happening in New York state education by watching Governor Cuomo, and his executive orders. There are a lot of people who believe that we get a heads up from the governor’s office, that there is a secret conversation prior to his executive orders–no.”

There is an expectation that schools will be required to submit reopening plans for state approval, just as private businesses were required to do during their phased reopenings.

“The dilemma with the reopening plan is, what are the limitations that he is placing on it?” Penhollow said. “Are we looking at bringing kids back full time, all kids? Are we looking at 25% population, 50% population, 75% population? Is he going to set a limit on the number of kids that can ride a school bus? Are the social distancing requirements going to be required for all kids? There are so many different variables that we’ve received no real sound direction on.”

Parents in the district will be asked to fill out a survey on a number of reopening topics so that the district can gauge public opinion. Those surveys will be posted on Facebook and Falconer’s school messenger site.

The board also passed a resolution to hold future meetings at 6:30 p.m., as opposed to 7:30 p.m.