To the Editor:

I wrote this letter to Dr. Marie Wiles, superintendent of Guilderland schools, on Friday, June 5, 2020.

In light of the civil unrest and COVID pandemic occurring in our country, I understand my complaints may be construed as petty. In any manner, I feel it is important to express my disappointment in the efforts put forth by the Guilderland School District for the graduating class of 2020.

I have enthusiastically supported my children, their teachers, and the school district for more than 20 years. My monetary contribution, grade by grade, over 14 years of schooling is something my husband and I never once balked at; the district has served my family well.

Until now.

As my family’s relationship with the Guilderland Central School District comes to an end, I cannot help but notice the lack of creativity, interest, and time put into celebrating the monumental milestone of a high school graduation. Taking into consideration innumerable lost experiences each graduate has endured, the celebration surrounding each of these remarkable individuals should be over the top!

However, the lackluster display of excitement for the Class of 2020 is infuriating. As a Guilderland resident, it is embarrassing and depressing to compare our efforts to other districts. Neighboring communities have celebrated their seniors with personalized lawn signs, televised sports-signing events, individualized and creative accolades, and community-wide parades.

How sad it is that Guilderland appears to be dismissing students instead of celebrating them. Our students have lost out on sports seasons, sectionals and states, musicals, field trips, athletic-signing days, music events, art shows, club events, and the excitement surrounding the pinnacle of their educational journey.

How is it Voorheesville and Mohonasen parades (to name a few) were able to recognize the loss of the senior experience while simultaneously embodying joy and pride from their town and surrounding community? These districts, in addition to North and South Colonie, Bethlehem, Saratoga (the list goes on) distributed personalized signs to each graduate.

Districts creatively incorporated banner-covered buses to distribute congratulatory sentiment alongside police escorts and fire-department involvement as they traveled through their towns. Now, Mechanicville has planned an actual graduation ceremony.

The Guilderland Central School district should be (as I am) embarrassed by the generic lawn signs the seniors had to pick up during the anti-climatic “teacher parade.” What caught my attention was of all the teachers present, three teachers personally addressed my sons.

Talk about four years culminating into a letdown! I get it, this is a tough time for everyone and there is no standard to follow. It may help to explain it, but it certainly doesn’t excuse it.

I would like to know how much money the Class of 2020 raised for its senior-year activities. How are the funds being used? Four years of raising money for a memorable senior year should amount to more than a generic “graduation” sign. The elimination of a Senior Ball, Senior Picnic and SEFCU arena expense should offer something more substantial.

I have no idea how anyone in the district can right this wrong, but the taste this has left in my mouth is unpleasant. I do not share your sentiment that the Guilderland Central School District has gone out of its way to make graduation memorable or meaningful.

It is apparent, the Class of 2020 has been dismissed. Done! Move On!

Laura Spanbauer

Proud mother of 

Twin 2020 graduates

Guilderland

Editor’s note: See related story.