"The Real Voice of the Students"
According to Butch Ingraham, the Head of Mechanics at the MCS District Bus Garage, Middleburgh buses start heading out at 5:30 A.M., and a decision to delay or close school must be made by that time. Mr. Ingraham said that on Monday, he was told by the superintendents of local highway departments that the roads were not bad. The buses left the garage at their normal times and had no problems getting through on Monday, said Mr. Ingraham. Mr.Ingraham also said that the process of deciding whether to keep school open is a joint effort with the towns, and that Superintendent Charles Morse has the final decision.
Mr. Morse said he wasn't in the area on Monday. Mr. Morse said he understood that the buses had already picked up some students when roads began to get slippery on Monday, and that the bus drivers reported road conditions to the bus garage. Mr. Morse said that a decision was made to keep the buses going and keep school open. Mr. Morse said he understands that road conditions varied depending on the area. -Continued on page 2
In a December 3rd letter to parents of Middlelburgh students from the Superintendent's office, parents were told that the incident created no health risks for the students and staff, and that the decision was made to open school on Monday based on information provided to the Superintendent from "investigating authorities."
According to the Cobleskill Times Journal, the piece of mail in question was received by the school district last Thursday. It consisted of an envelope enclosed by a larger envelope. The outer envelope was opened in the district's mail room Thursday, and, after an examination, the inner envelope was sent on by Mr. Morse to the teacher to whom it was addressed. The teacher said that white powder came from the inner envelope when she opened it. The suspicious letter was reported to the Superintendent on Friday, according to the Times Journal.
In a December 4 telephone call to the Superintendent, Mr. Morse said that a test of the suspicious inner envelope for anthrax came back negative. Mr. Morse also said that no one besides the teacher in question has ever indicated he or she has seen any powder accompanying the envelope. When asked if it will ever be determined just what the powder in the envelope was, Mr. Morse reiterated that no one besides the teacher has claimed to see powder.
The school district has not released the name of the teacher involved.
Friday's classes at the middle and high schools first began to appear unusual when an
-Continued on page 2
