ALBANY, N.Y. (January 30,
2008) -- City School District of Albany Superintendent Eva C. Joseph,
Ed.D., responded Wednesday to the deaths of employee Bobby Jones, a
member of the district's maintenance staff, and Albany High School
student Keynon Hankins:
“We were deeply saddened today to learn of the deaths of
City School District of Albany employee Bobby Jones and Albany High
School student Keynon Hankins. Our hearts and thoughts go out to their
families and friends.
“One of the most important
roles a school district can play at a time like this is to give students
and staff a place where they can feel comfortable expressing their
feelings and emotions. Our crisis response team has been mobilized to
provide counseling and support to any student or staff member as we all
try to cope with this loss. Our response is designed to make sure our
students and staff are taken care of emotionally.
“The responsiveness shown by all staff members who have been called on
to assist our efforts to prepare to respond to the needs of our
students, staff and school communities is deeply appreciated. I am
grateful in knowing – and our community should be reassured as well –
that we can continue to rely on their deep care and assistance in the
days ahead.”
The City School District
of Albany serves approximately 9,000 students in 18 elementary and
middle and
high schools. The district includes several magnet schools and programs,
as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students in
addition to neighborhood schools. The district is more than halfway
through its comprehensive facilities project to newly build and/or
renovate nearly all of its elementary and middle schools. The ultimate
goal of the facilities project is to provide schools with the resources
necessary to help students succeed in the 21st century.
