SHARE

North Salem Principal Apologizes For Lost Regents Exams

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. -- North Salem Middle/High School Principal Patricia P. Cyganovich has apologized in a July 1 letter to students, parents and teachers after 18 Regents exams were lost.

Students will have the chance to take the earth science Regents exam again on Aug. 13 at the North Salem Middle/High School.

Students will have the chance to take the earth science Regents exam again on Aug. 13 at the North Salem Middle/High School.

Photo Credit: File

The earth science tests, taken in June by eighth-graders, were found to be missing on June 24, Cyganovich said.

School officials searched the building from top to bottom and talked to all adults responsible for handling the exams, she said.

After every procedure was reviewed, and it was determined that the tests couldn’t be found, the school district notified parents, by email and letter, on June 26.

Cyganovich wrote that she was “devastated” about the mishap and said that all protocols for handling exams were being reviewed and revised.

The incident was reported to authorities at the state Department of Education, Cyganovich said.

The school district is inviting, but not requiring, students to take the test again, she said. The exam will take place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the North Salem Middle/High School on June Road.

Science teacher Melissa Valenti will conduct review sessions beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10; Tuesday, Aug. 11; and Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Students who do take the test again, Cyganovich said, will have the option of including their results in their earth science grade if they “compute favorable in the course average.”

Students who choose not to take the test again are “in no way penalized or at any disadvantage,” she said, adding that all testing requirements for graduation will be met for all students during their years in high school.

Cyganovich said she took “full responsibility” for the error and added that she hoped parents, students and teachers would accept her apology.

to follow Daily Voice Somers and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE