For students returning to class in the Saugerties Central School District, safety has become a greater focus than ever before.
“Our top priority as we begin the 2025-2026 school year is the safety and well-being of our students,” said Superintendent Daniel Erceg. “In response to recent events, we are taking immediate, concrete steps to provide care, build awareness and strengthen safeguards for every child in our schools. This includes expanding prevention education, counseling and student support services, while also offering new training for staff, coaches and parents in partnership with the Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program. We are also enhancing tools for anonymous reporting to ensure every student feels supported and safe.”
The recent events Erceg referred to were the July arrest of former SHS wrestling coach and custodian Reid Kappler, charged with 18 counts of third-degree felony rape of two girls between the ages of 15 and 16 between 2023 and 2024.
District officials spent much of the summer responding to the arrest, including opening their own internal investigation by an independent contractor.
Erceg offered a broader message about communication as well.
“Our community can expect a continued focus on transparency and open communication,” he said. “We are committed to keeping families informed, engaged and part of the conversation through regular updates, committee work and creating opportunities for collaboration.”
While some local districts beat the statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban by a year or two, the SCSD will start the school year with a first-time program to limit student access to internet-enabled devices on campus.
Students in the high school and junior high school will receive a Yondr pouch to secure their phones, smartwatches and wireless earbuds during the school day; they will be unlocked as they leave school. Elementary school students will be expected to keep devices turned off and stored in their backpacks during the day.
“Our focus will be on making this transition smooth so students can stay engaged in learning without distraction,” Erceg said.
In academic news, the district will continue implementing a curriculum aligned to the science of reading and the Writing Revolution, which is a teaching method that helps students improve their writing by focusing on clear, structured sentences and paragraphs across all subjects.
“Building strong literacy skills is essential to student success in school and beyond, and it will continue to be a cornerstone of our work this year,” Erceg said.
Erceg closed with a message for students both returning to class and those entering Saugerties schools for the first time.
“We want you to look forward to a safe, supportive and engaging school year,” he said. “You will see a renewed focus on safety and on learning how to take care of yourselves both mentally and physically. With the new state cellphone law, we hope you’ll find it easier to stay connected with your classmates, more engaged in class and less distracted throughout the day. If you ever need to reach home in an emergency, you can go to the front office to make a call, and families can do the same if they need to contact you. Most importantly, welcome back — we are excited for the year ahead and all the opportunities it will bring.”
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