New York State Education Law 3012-d requires each school principal to receive an annual professional performance review (APPR) that results in a composite effectiveness score and rating. In addition, NYS Education Law 3012-e requires that each classroom teacher receive an annual evaluation using an approved New York State Standards-based Educator Evaluation and Professional Support System (STEPS). All parents/guardians have the right to obtain the APPR scores or STEPS rating for their child’s current teacher(s) and principal(s) once they are available. To initiate this request, please contact Superintendent of Schools Jean Sharlow.

If you have any questions, please contact the district office at (315) 673-6000 for assistance.

Helpful Links

New York State Education Department's Approval Letter
Teacher Evaluation Plan
Principal Evaluation Plan

 

Body Mass Index Reporting Policy

New York State requires schools to track each student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status category as part of school health examinations. Every year, the NYS Department of Health will survey some schools for the number of pupils in each of six possible weight status categories. If Marcellus is surveyed by the state, the district will share summary group data only, not individual names or information. Parents who wish to exclude their child’s data from such group calculations must contact the child’s school nurse.

If you suspect a child is being abused or maltreated (neglected), report it by calling 1-800-342-3720, a toll-free 24-hour hotline operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department. Information about reporting child abuse and maltreatment (neglect) is available online at http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/

Click here to access the district's updated Counseling Plan.

Policy # 7316 Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day

SUBJECT: USE OF INTERNET-ENABLED DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

The District consulted with local stakeholders including employee organizations representing each bargaining unit, parents, and students to develop this policy to prohibit the use of Internet-enabled devices by students during the school day on school grounds. This policy aims to ensure that students remain focused on their academic responsibilities throughout the school day, which includes all instructional and non-instructional periods such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.

For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

1. "Internet-enabled devices" means and includes any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or other device capable of connecting to the Internet and enabling the user to access content on the Internet, including social media applications;
   "Internet-enabled devices" does not include:
   1. Non-Internet-enabled devices such as cellular phones or other communication devices not capable of connecting to the Internet or enabling the user to access content on the Internet; or
   2. Internet-enabled devices supplied by the District, charter school, or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) that are used for an educational purpose.
2. "School day" means the entirety of every instructional day as required by subdivision 7 of the Education Law Section 3604 during all instructional time and non-instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.
3. "School grounds" means in or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of a district elementary, intermediate, junior high, vocational, or high school, a charter school, or a BOCES facility.

Students are generally prohibited from using Internet-enabled devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds.

However, students may be authorized to use an Internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds:

1. If authorized by a teacher, principal, or the District for a specific educational purpose; 
2. Where necessary for the management of a student's health care;
3. In the event of an emergency; 
4. For translation services; 
5. On a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member; or
6. Where required by law.

Students must be permitted to use an Internet-enabled device where the use is included in the student's:

1. Individualized Education Program (IEP); or
2. Section 504 Plan.

On-Site Storage of Internet-Enabled Devices

Including Cell Phones, Smart Watches, and Ear Buds/Headphones (that connect to a cell phone)

Junior High School and Senior High School

Students must store their internet-enabled devices in their district issued pouch, which can then be stored in their backpacks during the day. Students also have the option to store their internet-enabled device in their designated lockers during the school day.  If an internet-enabled device is confiscated for non-compliance, the device will be stored securely in the main office until the end of the school day and a parent will be called. Upon the first offense, the principal will return the confiscated device to the student at the end of the school day. Any subsequent offense, where a device is confiscated for non-compliance, the device must be picked up by a parent/guardian. Devices not picked up from the main office by 4:00 PM can be picked up the next school day by a parent/guardian. 

If building principals encounter a large degree of non-compliance, they have the discretion to shift storage to designated secured lockboxes provided by the district. If this becomes necessary, communication to all stakeholders will occur before this change. 

Elementary and Intermediate School

It is strongly recommended that students do not bring smartphones, smartwatches or cellular phones to school.  If they do, students must power down their internet-enabled devices and store them with their belongings in their designated locker/cubby during the school day. If an internet-enabled device is confiscated for non-compliance, the device will be stored securely in the main office until the end of the school day and a parent will be called. Upon the first offense, the principal will return the confiscated device to the student at the end of the school day. Any subsequent offense, where a device is confiscated for non-compliance, the device must be picked up by a parent/guardian. Devices not picked up from the main office by 4:00 PM can be picked up the next school day by a parent/guardian.

Methods for Parents to Contact Students During the School Day

To accommodate necessary communication, parents or persons in parental relation may use the following methods to contact their student during school hours while adhering to this policy:

1. School Office Phone: Parents or persons in parental relation may call the school's main office, and the office staff can relay messages to the student or call the student to the office to speak with their parent or person in parental relation.
2. Classroom Intercom System: In case of an emergency, the school's main office can use the classroom intercom system to notify students directly or ask them to come to the office. 
3. Written Notes: Parents or persons in parental relation can drop off written notes at the school's main office, which can then be delivered to the student by school staff.

Parents and persons in parental relation will be notified in writing of the methods that are available for contacting their student during school hours upon enrollment and at the beginning of each school year.

Student Discipline for Accessing Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day

The District is prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing internet-enabled devices in violation of this policy.

Posting and Translation of Policy

The District will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website. Translations of the policy into the 12 most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in the state will be provided upon request by a student or other persons in parental relation to a student.

Reporting and Mitigation Action Plan

Beginning September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the District will publish an annual report on its website detailing enforcement of this policy within the District in the prior school year. This report will include non-identifiable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a mitigation action plan.

Education Law Section 2803
 

Data Protection Officer: Donald Weber
2 Reed Parkway
Marcellus, NY 13108
315-673-6001

Marcellus Central School District protects student privacy.  In accordance with NYS Education Law (EdLaw 2D), parents have the right to know and access how we protect your students' privacy.  Linked below are our Parents' Bill of Rights,  Data Security & Privacy Policy, and vendor specific Parent's Bill of Rights:

Parents' Bill of Rights
Data Security & Privacy Policy
Vendor Parents' Bill of Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students over 18 years of age and parents the right to review certain educational records. Pursuant to law, the following records are available for review:

• the guidance folder, which contains standardized test scores, biographical data and elementary progress reports;
• academic records for grades seven through 12;
• cumulative health records;
• attendance records;
• student disciplinary records reflecting superintendent’s hearings in which the student has been found guilty and letters and/or records of school suspension lasting five days or less;
• school medical records maintained at the school nurse’s office that contain the student’s medical history;
• pupil service records that include psychological reports maintained by school personnel.

These records are confidential and cannot be released without the prior written consent of the parent or guardian. The law does provide for limited exceptions to the prior consent requirement, e.g., certain school employees or state or federal officials have a legitimate purpose for needing access to information contained in the students’ records. 

The Board of Education has established a policy for maintaining the confidentiality of student education records, and for providing access to such records for parental review. Copies of this policy are available in the district office in C.S. Driver Middle School. Applications for access to student records also are available in the district office. Please direct any questions about the right to review student records to the building principal.

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), some districts or schools may be a “covered entity.” If a district or school (or person within that school, i.e. the school nurse) is included in the “covered entity” category, then the district must provide notice of its privacy practices with regard to protected health information.

As required by No Child Left Behind, all districts have responsibilities to homeless students in the district. In order to serve these students, each district must appoint a liaison for homeless children that are currently residing within a district. The liaison must first identify these students and, to aid in doing so, post notifications regarding educational services and contact information at places where the parents of homeless students will see it. These locations can include, but are not limited to, homeless shelters, medical clinics, post offices and local Social Service offices. Senior high school counselor Heather Arcese is the liaison for Marcellus Central School District.

The Marcellus Central School District is committed to ensuring student privacy in accordance with local, state and federal regulations and district policies. To this end, in accordance with the requirements of a new Section 2-d that was added to the New York Education Law in 2014, the Marcellus Central School District provides the following Parents’ Bill of Rights with respect to maintaining the privacy and security of student data.

• A student’s personally identifiable information cannot be sold or released for any commercial purposes.

• Parents have the right to inspect and review the complete contents of their child’s education record.
• State and federal laws protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information and safeguards associated with industry standards and best practices, including but not limited to, encryption, firewalls and password protection, must be in place when data is stored or transferred. To this end, the district has implemented the following safeguards to protect personally identifiable information about students, which is stored or transferred by the district, against unauthorized disclosure.
  • All databases that have student information are protected by a secure password and login. Logins are monitored, and passwords are kept up-to-date.
• A complete list of all student data elements collected by the state will be available for public review both online and via regular mail, upon written request, when this list is provided by New York state. In the meantime, information regarding data elements collected by the New York State Education Department (SED) is available online at: 
  http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/sirs/2011-12/2011-12SIRSGuidance/NEWER/2013-14SIRSManual9-1_20131107.pdf
   
• Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data addressed. Complaints should be directed to:
  • Data Privacy Officer: Donald Weber
    Marcellus Central School District
    2 Reed Parkway
    Marcellus, NY 13108
    dweber@marcellusschools.org
     
  • Chief Privacy Officer
    New York State Education Department
    89 Washington Ave. 
    Albany, NY 12234
    cpo@mail.nysed.gov.

This bill of rights is subject to change based on regulations of the commissioner of education and the SED chief privacy officer. Changes/additions are also anticipated when SED releases further guidance documents. 

More information is also available on the following websites:

• New York State Education Department: Full text of Parents’ Bill Of Rights for Data Privacy And Security.
• U.S. Department of Education press release: Guidance for Schools Issued on How to Keep Parents Better Informed on the Data They Collect on Students (PDF)
• Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC): US Education Department resource for education stakeholders to learn about data privacy. 

Click here to access the district's updated Professional Learning Plan.

Pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the Marcellus Central School District upon request will disclose students’ names, addresses and telephone listings to military recruiters. Parents and students can request the district not release such information without prior written parental consent.

Helpful Links

Marcellus Central Schools Response to Intervention Plan

Click here to access the district's updated Special Education Plan.

Throughout the school year, the district or any group(s) associated with school activities (PTO, PTA, sports teams, individual teachers, etc.) publicizes student information using a variety of communication platforms including social media accounts. The publications may be district sponsored, personal teacher accounts, or accounts set up by any group(s) involved in a school event. The most widely used, but not limited to forms of communication are programs for district events (concerts, shows, sporting events), Facebook, Instagram, X, ParentSquare, newsletters, press releases, the annual yearbook, and websites. The publication may include, but is not limited to photos, videos, names, and event information.

Marcellus Central School Districts will use the following social media accounts for the 2026- 2027 school year:

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Youtube

The Marcellus School District is committed to honoring your privacy and the privacy of your child/ren. In order for your child to be featured in any publication, please complete the OPT-OUT form by September 11, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. A form must be completed for each child enrolled in the district. Please contact your child's school if you need help filling out this form.

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents certain rights regarding district surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. Parents may exercise their right to excuse their child from participating in any survey created by a third party (before it is distributed to students) and questionnaires intended to collect personal information from students for marketing purposes.

In 1984, the United States Supreme Court ruled it is unconstitutional to deny undocumented children access to a free, public K-12 education.   This ruling is still in place today and is the law.  Marcellus Central School District is committed to ensuring students have equal access to education, regardless of immigration status, national origin, citizenship, or any other protected reason, and strictly complies with the Supreme Court’s decision. 
 

The Marcellus Central School District takes all legally allowable steps to protect students while they are attending school. The school has strict protocols in place for handling requests from immigration officials for (1) information about students; (2) cooperation with immigration enforcement activities; and (3) requests for a student to be released to immigration authorities.
 

Parents and persons in a parental relationship should make sure the Marcellus Central School District has updated emergency contact information, including a list of all individuals authorized to pick your child up from school, in the event you are unavailable to do so.  Please contact your child’s school building secretary to provide any necessary updates. 

NYSED Resources

New York State Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students

Safeguarding the rights of New York State immigrant students

The 2021-22 enacted state budget includes language requiring local education agencies, such as school districts, that receive funding from the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to post on its website a plan summarizing how these funds will be spent.

New York has been allocated nearly $9 billion in funds, with a minimum of $8.09 billion (90 percent) going to local education agencies, including public schools. The Marcellus Central School District’s Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) allocation totals $1,403,395 and its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation totals $1,751,789.

New York State voters approved the Smart Schools Bond Act in 2014, authorizing issuance of up to $2 billion in bonds to finance acquisition of educational technology and infrastructure to improve learning and opportunity for students throughout New York State.
 
Funds are accessible through development of a Smart Schools Investment Plan.  The district's most recent preliminary SSIP was developed by a representative group of constituents, and then presented to and approved by the Board of Education at their January 4, 2021 meeting.  The preliminary plan was then made available here on the district's website from January 5, 2021 to February 8, 2021 and available for public comment.  The address to which any written comments on the plan should have been sent was asonnacchio@marcellusschools.org.  No comments were received.

The Board of Education then conducted a public hearing on February 8, 2021 to enable stakeholders to respond to the preliminary plan.  Notice of the public hearing was provided through local media and the district website for at least two weeks prior to the meeting.  The Board of Education then adopted the Smart Schools Investment Plan during its February 8, 2021 Board of Education meeting.  In December 2024 the plan was amended to:

1. reduce the number of chrome books to be purchased
2. reduce the number of interactive boards to be purchased

A copy of the adopted plan can be viewed by clicking on this link.  A copy of the revised plan can be viewed by clicking on this link.  The original and revised plans will be available here until both plans are complete.

In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1987, Marcellus Central School District’s facilities have been inspected and response actions are planned to ensure a continued safe environment for our students and employees. The district conducts re-inspections every three years. The Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES safety department is contracted to complete the triennial inspection of all facilities and update the asbestos management plan, which is available for your review in the district office in C.S. Driver Middle School, 2 Reed Parkway, Marcellus.

Each employer must determine the application of “Universal Precautions” by performing an employee exposure evaluation.  One of the major requirements is the development of an Exposure Control Plan, which mandates engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment, HBV vaccinations, and training. The Standard also mandates practices and procedures for housekeeping, medical evaluations, hazard communication, and recordkeeping.

Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for 2026 of structures within the Marcellus Central School District for fire hazards which might endanger the lives of students, teachers, and employees therein has been completed on February 19, 2026.

Structures inspected include: K.C. Heffernan Elementary School, C.S. Driver Middle School, Marcellus Senior High School, Career Exploration and Agricultural Sciences building, the bus garage, maintenance building, stadium press box, baseball field dugouts, utility sheds, and storage pole barn. The report is available for review by all interested persons at the Maintenance Office at 1 Learners Landing, Marcellus, NY 13108.

It is the intent of the Marcellus Central School District to furnish its employees a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards and to provide reasonable and adequate protection for the health and safety of its employees. To this end, and in compliance with New York State Labor Law, Article 28, Sections 875 et al, commonly referred to as the New York State Right-to-Know Law, and 29 CFR 1910.1200, commonly referred to as OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, the District makes available a Hazard Communication (Right-To-Know) Plan.

On Sept. 6, 2016, the governor signed into law Chapter 296 of the Laws of 2016. This law requires school districts and BOCES to conduct testing of school potable water sources in occupied buildings and to monitor for lead contamination and remediate where necessary. This legislation also requires that we notify the general public of the test results and, when applicable, efforts to remedy sources of water containing lead levels greater than or equal to 15 parts per billion.

Results of testing of school potable water sources can be found by clicking on this link.

The purpose of Marcellus Central School District’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program is to document the hazard assessment, protective measures in place, and PPE being used within the District. While OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment regulation, found at 29 CFR 1910.132-.140 (Subpart I), does not explicitly require a written Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program, Marcellus Central School has developed a written PPE program to document and specify all information relative to our PPE needs. Under the provisions of the regulation employers must evaluate each job specific function to determine if equipment is necessary to protect workers.

Click below to view Marcellus Central Schools Code of Conduct for the 2026-2027 school year.

Safety at Marcellus

The safety and security of students and staff is a top priority at Marcellus Central School District.

Districtwide Safety Plan

The safety committee provides oversight for development of a Districtwide Safety Plan.  Each June/July the plan is presented to the Board of Education to inform the public of any updates to the plan, which can be viewed by selecting this link.  The 2026-2027 draft plan document and updates were presented to the Board of Education on June 22, 2026.  Publics comments on the content of the plan will be accepted for 30 days.  The final plan will be presented to the Board for adoption at the August 24, 2026 meeting.  Comments can be emailed to:  dweber@marcellusschools.org.

Public access to school buildings

The district utilizes a safety program called Raptor vSoft to keep unwanted visitors out, while tracking those with permission to enter the three school buildings.

After buzzing in, visitors must report directly to the school’s main office, where they are asked to show his or her license or other state-issued identification. Next, the ID is swiped through a scanner and instantly screened for registered sex offenders in all 50 states, as well as individuals with restraining orders, custody issues, suspended or expelled students, known gang members and other trespassers.

If a potential threat is identified, vSoft’s system instantly alerts designated officials, such as administrators and law enforcement, including the district’s three school resource officers (see below), via email, text messaging and/or page. When a visitor is cleared, vSoft prints a badge featuring his or her name, photo, date, time and destination, according to Raptor’s website.

Record of excellence

For fifteen consecutive years, Utica National Insurance Group has awarded top honors to Marcellus Central School District for its efforts to keep students, staff and visitors safe. 

In 2024, Marcellus received its 15th “School Safety Excellence Award.” The district has consistently earned “titanium with honors,” the highest of the award’s three levels, by meeting specific criteria to enhance its overall safety in such areas as bullying prevention programs and playground safety.

School resource officers

As part of its commitment to the safety and security of its students, Marcellus has assigned a school resource officer (SRO) – a trained law enforcement officer– at each of its three school buildings on its campus. The SROs monitor campus safety and security, thanks to enhancements that include more than 70 video cameras, a security alarm system controlled by key card access readers and motion detectors for 24/7 campus surveillance.
 
The district’s three SROs are:

• K.C. Heffernan Elementary: Mr. David Kimball 
• C.S. Driver Middle School: Mr. Jeremy Baldwin
• Marcellus Senior High School: Mr. Sean Clere

New York Codes, Rules and Regulations require that the engine of a bus or truck powered by diesel fuel shall not idle for more than five consecutive minutes when the bus or truck is not in motion except when a bus or truck is forced to maintain motionless because of the traffic conditions over which the operator thereof has no control or when state regulations require the maintenance of a specific temperature for passenger comfort.

It is the policy of the district not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military status or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment, in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments and Section 504 of the Rehabilitative Act of 1973. Any parent who believes his or her child is disabled has the right to refer the child to the building principal for evaluation. No otherwise qualified individual with a disability solely on the basis of that disability, shall be denied benefits of, or be subject to, discrimination from any program or activity of the district. 

Any parent who believes his or her child has been denied the benefits of an appropriate education as a result of discrimination based on disability should contact the building principal or or Director of Special Education and grants, Julie Darmody-Latham. Moreover, any person who believes his or her rights have been violated should contact the Mrs. Darmody-Latham at 315-673-6006.

Many families spend time at pools, lakes and beaches, so we are sharing this guidance from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to help keep our students safe around water.

Under New York Education Law Section 926, effective July 1, 2026, school districts are required to share water safety information with parents and guardians.

Supervision Saves Lives

• Always swim with someone else and keep an eye on each other — nearly half of all drownings happen when a person is swimming alone.
• Kids and teens have the greatest risk of drowning. Always keep little ones within arm's reach, even in the shallow end.
• Lifeguards and life jackets don't take the place of close adult supervision. When children are in or near water, designate one adult as the water watcher. This person's only job is to watch the water — no reading, no phone, no alcohol — even when a lifeguard is present.
• Make sure your pool has a secure enclosure that makes it inaccessible to children.

Know the Signs of Drowning

Each year, hundreds of New Yorkers drown. It can happen to anyone, anywhere there is water. Drowning occurs quickly and silently. Someone drowning may appear to be splashing or waving when they are struggling to stay afloat.

Reduce your risk. Learn basic swimming skills. Consider taking a CPR class. Rescue breathing, first aid and calling 911 could save a life.

Where and How to Swim Safely

• The safest place to swim is at a public beach or at a pool with lifeguards.
• At beaches, swim only within the designated swimming area and be aware of undertows, currents and sudden drop-offs. 
• Pay attention to the weather and never swim during storms or lightning.
• Before swimming in a pool, make sure you can clearly see the drain at the bottom — if you can't, the water is too cloudy to swim in safely. 
• In lakes and other open water, avoid areas with surface scum, dense plants, or an oily sheen, as these can signal a health hazard.
• Avoid water that is greater than chest deep if you can't swim.
• Don't use alcohol or drugs if you plan to swim.
• Don't dive into water less than eight feet deep or of unknown depth — diving into shallow water is a leading cause of spinal cord injuries.
• Consider your health. Medical conditions like a seizure disorder or heart condition can put people at greater risk of drowning.

Life Jackets and Water Gear

Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved (I-III label) life jacket when boating or in open water. These are required by law for children under 12 on boats and recommended for all weak or non-swimmers in open water. Air-filled swimming aids, like water wings and floats, should never take the place of an approved life jacket. Always follow safe boating practices.

Health and Hygiene

Germs can spread through water. Avoid getting sick by not swallowing water, rinsing off before and after you swim, and washing your hands before eating. Never swim in cloudy or discolored water.

Stay out of the water if you are sick with diarrhea, or if you have open cuts or wounds. Don't pee or poop in the water. Take children on frequent bathroom breaks.

Backyard and Inflatable Pools

Backyard and inflatable pools holding more than 24 inches of water are regulated under New York State building codes. A permit is required, and the pool must have a secure barrier, self-latching gate and pool alarm to prevent unsupervised access by children.

Safe Swimming Tips

Water Safety Flyer

The 2021-22 enacted state budget includes language requiring local education agencies, such as school districts, that receive funding from the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to post on its website a plan summarizing how these funds will be spent.  The District has posted its plan here and sought comments/input from community members using a google form developed for this purpose.  Comments were to have been submitted by July 1, 2021.  No comments were received.