Grand Island School Board News Page
2001
Sidway Kinderkids Steal the Show
By Lee Cohen
Monday, December 10, 2001...The highlight of Monday's school board meeting at
Sidway was a presentation by Mrs. Pat Hitcho's kindergarten class, who led the
large audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and then sang "Oh Christmas Tree" in
English as well as in German, in honor of one of their classmates, newly arrived
from Bavaria. Jillian Sheehan sang the solo and the group was accompanied on the
piano by senior citizen volunteer Frances Volpe.
Principal Frank Cannata, who was voted tenure Monday night to a round of
applause, presented an overview of his R.S.V.P. program. Sponsored by the Erie
County Dept. of Senior Services, the program brings senior citizens into the
school to volunteer approximately two hours a week in the classroom.
Senior volunteers Nell Roberts, Elaine Gorman and Volpe discussed the program
and how much they enjoy working at Sidway. They praised the staff and the
friendly atmosphere in the building. Cannata read a letter from 91-year-old
Helene Kerr, who said she would have liked to volunteer and who reminisced that
she has twin sons, now 62, who attended Sidway the first year there were two 1st
grade classes. A letter also was received from Jen Dobmeier in praise of the
program.
In regular board business trustees were told that interest rates were down but
that sales tax revenues were comparable to last year at this time. Old kitchen
equipment that had been in storage was declared obsolete and trustees approved a
bid of chemical supplies from Dobmeier Janitorial and okayed participation in
BOCES cooperative bids for software and duplicating and paper supplies.
Dr. James Dempsey presented the high school planning guide for 2002-2003, which
was approved by the board with the following changes from this year:
- Astronomy has been added as a course, since three years of science will be
required by all students, with a passing grade of 65. The course will run only
if it does not require additional staff.
- Math B has been added as a state mandate, with Course I and Course II phased
out;
- Pre-algebra will be offered to 9th graders who need more time to complete a
three-year sequence. A score of 65 on the math Regents will be required;
- Course names have been changed in line with state mandates: Sociology replaces
Man and Society and Criminal Law replaces Practical Law. Biology in now Biology/
The Living Environment and earth science is now Earth Science/The Physical
Setting.
Trustees approved the policy on extra-curricular activities and athletics after
a second reading and heard the first reading of three additional policies:
Internet Control Filtering; Home Instruction (permanent) and Incidental
Teaching.
The district already provides internet filtering and the policy spells out
further activities and safeguards. The home instruction policy delineates the
district's role toward students who are home schooled. Such students are not
eligible for a high school diploma nor do they receive health services, remedial
instruction or school materials. They do not participate in school sponsored
extra-curricular activities.
Incidental teaching refers to assigning a teacher to a subject not covered by
his/her certification. The assignment may not be for more than five classroom
hours per week and must be approved by the Commissioner of Education. Currently
there are no such teachers in the district.
In personnel action child-care leaves of absence were granted Joan VanderMey,
Tricia McDonald and Laura Murray. Resignations accepted: Paula McDonnell, RN;
Julie Bidell, teacher aide, Marcia Little, food service helper. Appointments:
Mike Parzymeiso, Alternative Education program; Frances Redlinski, extension as
short-term substitute; Linda Sobieski, probationary food service helper; Bonnie
Jo Ruppert, permanent food service helper. In the absence of vice president Sue
Gill, due to illness, Myrna Blair made the personnel motions.
In Voice of the People following the meeting, Assistant Superintendent Larry
Schaller reported that following his trip to Albany to discuss Capital Project
plans, the State Education Department is close to approving the project,
following some minor architectural changes.
The board will hold its first meeting of the new year on Monday, January 14 at 7 p.m.
at Huth Road School.
G.I. Again No. 1 in KidsVoting
By Lee Cohen
Every year that Grand Island has participated in KidVoting it has ranked first
in Western New York, and this year was no exception.
At Monday night's school board meeting school coordinator Lynn Makowski
presented a Buffalo News plaque to Superintendent Paul Fields in recognition of
the district's first-place rank.
Also receiving recognition were school captains Kathy Fik, Kaegebein, with the
greatest number of voters; and Nancy Peterson, Sidway; Jim Randles, Connor
Middle, and Judy Wynne, Huth. Overall captains for KidsVoting were Lee Tetkowski
and Joan Droit.
School Board Agenda - December 10, 2001
6:45 P.M. - Sidway Dining Room
6:45 P.M. - Tour of Library - Sidway
1. 7 P.M. - Call to Order in Sidway Dining Room
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Sidway Program
4. Voice of the People
5. Correspondence
6. Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes - 11/26/01
A. For Your Information - Joint School/Town Board Meeting Minutes - 10/20/01
7. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Special Education Meeting Minutes - 11/20 and 11/28/01
B. Approval of Committee on Preschool Special Education Meeting Minutes - 12/4/01
8. Business and Finance
A. Warrants
B. For Your Information
1) Treasurer's Report - October, 2001
2) Payroll - November 30, 2001
3) Budget Transfer
4) Revenues
5) Investments
9. Personnel
A. Personnel Status Report
B. Terminations
C. Appointments
10. Board of Education
A. High School Planning Guide
B. Approval of Compublend II Cleaning Chemical Bid
C. Approval of BOCES Co-operative Bids
1) Paper and Duplicating Supplies
2) Software
D. Policies
1)2nd reading - Extra-curricular Activities and Athletics
2) 1st reading
a)Internet Control Filtering
b) Home Instruction (permanent instruction)
c) Incidental Teaching
11. Next Meetings
A. Monday, January 14, 2002 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Huth Road Elementary School
B. Monday, January 28, 2002 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
Capital Project Approval Slated for January
By Lee Cohen
Monday, November 26, 2001...In the “good news” portion of the meeting Superintendent Paul Fields announced that the district is in line for approval of its capital project, possibly in January. District representatives are to meet in Albany with State Education Department officials for a final review. Also, Grand Island was once again No. 1 in Kids Voting in Western New York, with special recognition to be given at the board’s next meeting.
Recognition was given 9th graders Gretchen Kiehl, Kari Tondara and Sarah Tanbakuchi for their successful participation in Kidsvention, sponsored by WNED-TV. The program, now in its 5th year, features student-led debates on current issues. This year’s topic was “Should the U.S. and its world allies take military action in response to acts of terrorism?” The students, from Julie Johnson’s Humanities class, placed at the top of the 9th/10th grade category in the preliminary round and were featured on TV on Friday, Nov. 2 for the final round.
In board action trustees approved a three-day junior class trip to Boston, conducted by Junior Tours. Cost will be approximately $345/student, with fundraising activities to include a raffle ticket sale and possibly a candy sale. There will be one adult chaperone for every 10 students, with faculty supervision by class advisors Tom Gorman and Kathy Scarafia. Approximately 100 students currently are interested in participating, according to Scarafia.
Trustees approved a new high school textbook (Exploring Careers) for the Human Relations/Dynamics of Work course; approved the policy titled Solicitation of Charitable Donations from School Children after a second reading and heard the first reading of a policy dealing with extra-curricular activities and athletics. The policy states that children attending a charter school may participate in district athletic programs as long as that does not interfere with the successful participation of locally enrolled students. Home school or private institution students, however, are not permitted to participate in district extra-curricular and/or athletic programs. The district currently has one child enrolled in a charter school.
In personnel action Barbara Russo was appointed to the Alternative Education program, and Amanda Becker and Ardeth Kasahara named co-advisors for the S.A.D.D. program (following the resignation of Mollie Bowers), both at the high school. Patrick Krawczyk was appointed a probationary teaching assistant; Jodi Swain, a short-term substitute; Bill Gugino, a probationary auto mechanic, and Sylvia Connors received an extension of her temporary teacher aide position.
Trustees will meet for the last time this year on December at 7 p.m. in the Sidway dining room.
School Board Agenda - November 26, 2001
7 P.M. - Middle School Little Theater
1. 7 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Voice of the People
4. Correspondence
5. Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes - 10/22/01
6. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Preschool Special Education Meeting Minutes - 10/23 and 11/7/01
B. Approval of Committee on Preschool Special Education Meeting Minutes - 10/17, 10/18, 10/19, 10/23, 10/31, 11/7, 11/8, 11/13 and 11/15/01
C. Additional appointments to the Committee on Preschool and Special Education -2001-02 Alternate Parent Members:
1) Nevins, Barb
2) Mulvey, Cheryl
3) Clark, Pamela
4) Toellner, Bernadine
7. Business and Finance
A. Payroll - 10/19, 11/2, 11/9 and 11/16/01
B. Treasurer's Report - September 2001
1) Treasurer's Report - August, 2001
8. Personnel
A. Personnel Status Report
B. Resignations
C. Appointments
9. Board Of Education
A. Approval of new textbooks
1) Exploring Careers - High School
B. Policy - 2nd reading
1) Solicitation of Charitable Donations from School Children
C. Policy - 1st reading
1) Extra-curricular Activities and Athletics
D. Next Meetings
1) Monday, December 10, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting
a)7 p.m. -Sidway Dining Room
2) Monday January 14, 2002 - Regular Business Meeting
a)7:00 p.m - Huth Road
3) Monday, January 28, 2002 - Regular Business Meeting
a) 7:00 p.m. - MIddle School Little Theater
Town/School Board Collaboration Unique
By Lee Cohen
Monday, Oct. 29...The joint Town
Board/School Board meeting at Sidway continued the
collaborative process begun several years ago to share
services for the betterment of the Grand Island
community. Supervisor Peter McMahon commented, "We've
been involved in regionalism long before it became the
'in' thing to do."
Reports on cooperative projects were given by Sue
Novits, representing GIFTS (Grand Island Family Town
Schools); by Superintendent Paul Fields, with an
update on Youth Court; by Aimee Neri, director of the
Advantage After School Program; and by Councilman
Kevin Rustowicz, with an update on the town's Youth
Advisory Board.
Suggestions were made for future sharing activities.
Joint investing of funds for a better rate of return
was discussed, and although Assistant Superintendent
Larry Schaller noted that school districts have
restrictive rules concerning investing, he added that
he was more than willing to look into the matter.
Fields warned that any investments would have to be
safe, easily converted and provide a good return.
Both boards were in agreement that cooperation in
developing plans for safety concerns and in possibly
staging tabletop/disaster drill situations was vital.
Jack Weisenborn, school special services director,
will work with town officials to design a joint safety
team. McMahon said that the town, the Grand Island Fire Company
and the schools did have their own plans in place to
deal with an emergency.
Noting that in almost all cases, someone knew when a
student had planned a school shooting, McMahon
suggested providing an email-alert address where
anonymous tips could be received. G.I.T.A. President
Gail Lazenby warned that the address would have to be
monitored 24 hours a day so that any tips could be
followed through as soon as possible and a plan would
have to be worked out to keep the tip anonymous.
Jeff Mendola, marketing manager for Rural Metro, urged
the school district to consider providing a CPR
program for students in their junior year. He noted
that teachers trained in CPR were available, as were
community members. "The Grand Island Fire Department
is one of the few in Western New York to have trained
paramedics," he stated.
Board President Richard McCowan commented that the
school board would have to approve the program.
Parking along Ransom Road during events at the school
drew considerable discussion. Councilman Michael
Heftka said that moving parking to the other side was
not a solution since the street would have to be
crossed and homeowners also would object. Councilman
Mary Cooke said that the town needed to have school
board input for a long-term solution. Putting up
no-parking signs would only move the parking to side
streets, causing more objections. Councilman Dick
Crawford said the town's safety committee could make
no recommendations because it did not have enough
information from the schools. The matter was tabled
until a joint committee could make
recommendations.
Following the formal agenda board members commented on
various issues. Supervisor McMahon had high praise for
Superintendent Fields. "He deserves recognition for
providing open communication with the town. We talk
regularly."
Trustee Jeri Schopp and McMahon suggested that the
boards take advantage of the 5th Monday in a month to
talk more frequently than once a year. He suggested
that school and town department heads be brought
together "to move cooperative relations down to the
next level" to see what other initiatives could be
started, while continuing current inter-organizational
efforts. Trustees Sue Gill and Frank Del Signore spoke
in favor of CPR in the schools, while new trustee
David Goris called the session productive and
enlightening.
Councilman Cooke had high praise for the school
district's handling of information about the September
11th tragedy. "I was grateful and impressed that
elementary students were not told, but that a letter
was sent home to parents."
Sidway Principal Frank Cannata had high praise for the
Fire Company. "We bring 500 kids and their parents
over to the building and it's a wonderful experience.
The firemen are helpful and patient." He also thanked
McMahon for providing town police for traffic control
on high traffic days. Councilman Heftka, in turn, had
high praise for Jack Burns, director of transportation
for the district, who is also liaison to the Traffic
Safety Advisory Board. He particularly noted his cooperation on
Project Alert dealing with bus safety.
Finally, Dr. Fields saluted the "ongoing spirit of
cooperation and working together between the town and
the schools."
Audit Report Shows School District Funds Well
Managed
By Lee Cohen
Monday, Oct. 22. . ....The school district's
annual outside audit report shows that finances are
being well managed and that the district's debt
load, at 4.3 percent, is well below that of other
districts. The report,presented to trustees by CPAs
Eugene Mahaney and Joseph Klimek, noted that there
were no weaknesses and no questions regarding
administrative control of finances, that distribution
of all Federal and state funds was in compliance
with regulations, and that there were no significant
audit adjustments necessary. The report noted also
that there was a decrease of $475,000 in the general
fund and that there had been $3,050,000 in the
end-of-year fund balance,the majority of which was
used to reduce taxes.
In its management letter to the board, required by the
State Education Department, the accountants called
attention to the following: there had been a
few errors in payroll check preparation, later
corrected; the high school extra-classroom activity
fund had not been properly reconciled at the end of
the year (due to the retirement of the high school
treasurer); there needed to be more detailed record
keeping for a portion of the employee benefit fund;
and the district needed to develop a policy outlining
how funds from the soft-drink company pouring-rights
contract would be distributed.
Trustees heard the first reading of a policy dealing
with solicitation of charitable donations from school
children. While direct solicitation of funds may not
be made during regular school hours, fundraising can
take place off school premises or at before or after
school extra-curricular activities; by the
placement of collection boxes in common areas, but not
in classrooms; or by sale of goods or tickets for
charitable events. The policy also states that
the board of education should decide which groups may
solicit, but trustee David Goris questioned whether
that would be possible for all occasions. It was
suggested that board members delegate that role to the
superintendent; trustees agreed and that will be added
to the regulations. The board heard a second reading
of the policy on impartial hearing officers (discussed
in the last board report) and then approved it.
Two student music trips were approved after trustees
heard explanations from the music faculty. The high
school band and orchestra, with band director Marty
Allen and orchestra director Debbie Remson and
chaperones, will travel to Virginia Beach, Va. from
April 17-21 to attend the National Invitational Dixie
Classic Festival. On March 8 the high school wind
ensemble and the Huth Rd. band have been invitedto
Syracuse to play for the NYS Band Directors
Association Annual Symposium. According to Alan
Ripley, Huth band director, it is an unprecedented
honor to have two bands from the same district be
invited to the symposium. The day trip will cost the
80 students involved about $25 each, to be obtained
through
fundraising. Also approved, with Michael Dlugosz
abstaining, was a list of members of the district's
Safety Committee Team.
Curriculum director Karen Karmazin reviewed her
New-Teacher Orientation program. The in-depth report,
prepared with the help of teacher mentors Marie
Kronenwetter and Bev Molak, discussed how the program
was developed, its goals,and its evaluation. The
four-day orientation in August for the district's 33
new teachers and teacher assistants included an
overview of the history of Grand Island presented by
Sue Fleming-Brusino; a report on mentoring from
Julie Johnson and Andy Bowen (previous mentees); a
technology orientation by Jim Szafran; participation
in Project Adventure, led by Hank Carney, Daneen
Gallagher and Jeff Johnston; and discussion of
district expectations.
Also conducted were meetings with Teacher Association
representatives Gail Lazenby and Charlotte Sabo,
Teacher Center director Mary Vacanti, Director of
Pupil Personnel Services Carol Jones, Assistant
Superintendent Larry Schaller and Jude Keuhne
(discussing personnel services), training in the
SAVE/Right to Know curriculum by Director of Special
Services Jack Weisenborm, and meetings with principals
and program coordinators. Trustees commended her and
the mentors for a job well done.
In personnel action the following coaches were
approved for winter sports: basketball: Jen
Banker, girls varsity; Mike Stauffer, girls JV; Art
Meaney, girls modified; Chris Simpson, boys varsity;
Pat Krawczk, JV; Dan Sweeney, freshmen; Mike Manzo,
modified; wrestling: Jeff Johnston, head; Hank
Carney, assistant; Craig David, modified;
swimming: Lee Herbst, head; Joe Menter,
assistant; bowling: Gary Jackson;
cheerleading: Debbie Billica, head; Karen
Surdyke, assistant. Approved as volunteer coaches:
Hank Cushing, wrestling; Mark Abate, boys swimming;
Mike Zuch and Julie Roth, girls basketball; Kevin
Kulikowski, boys basketball.
Other appointments: Don Pray, Lynn Makowski, Julie
Johnson, for the high school Alternative Education
program; Robin Crowden, Huth Rd. boys chorus
advisor; Debbie Cich, extension of temporary
teacher-aide contract; Frances Fanara,
probationary food service helper; Campbell McCabe,
permanent bus driver; Ann Ash, permanent food service
helper. The resignation of teaching assistant
Theresa Wild was accepted.
A visit to the district's weather station, where
senior Adam Mazenauer demonstrated the program's
computer capabilities to trustees, preceded the well
attended meeting, held in the high school library.
Board President Richard McCowan opened the meeting
with a request for a minute of silence in memory of
former football coach Gene Masters. A highlight of the
evening was a multi-media presentation by Jim Szafran,
director of technology services, filmed with the
aid of Paul Szafran and other technology department
members, presenting an overview of the district's
technology equipment and its hopes and plans for the
future. The 15-minute presentation drew appreciative
applause from the attentive audience.
In the Good News portion of the meeting the audience
heard reports on fund-raising and other activities in
response to the September 11 attack. At the high
school Dr. James Dempsey, principal, reported that
students had raised more than $3000 to be donated to
the Red Cross, with students Ingrid Dahlburg and
Kaylee Mordaunt spearheadingn the effort. Principal
John Wiertel noted that at Kaegebein, led by teacher
Lynn Ackendorf, $630 had been raised for the Sept. 11
Fund and students were participating in red, white and
blue projects, aided by parents. At Huth Road Robin
Crowden reported that almost $300 had been raised
for the Firefighters Fund with the help of library
aide Marie Connell, and that a card and letter-writing
campaign is underway. Through a Dress-Down Day $750
had been raised at Sidway, with matching funds
provided by HSBC Bank.
Also in the Good News portion of the meeting students
Sally Head and Christopher Duff were recognized for
their outstanding performance on the National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test.
In Voice of the People Larry Schaller reported that
approval of Capital Project plans had been delayed by
the retirement of State Ed. employees as well as a
call-up to the National Guard of another employee. The
district has consulted with a specialist in code
review, making architectural and engineering
modifications to its original plans in order to
maximize the amount of aid it can receive, and the
revised plan has been sent back to the state for still
another review.
The board will meet Monday with members of the town
board at Sidway at 7 p.m. The next regularly scheduled
business meeting is not until Monday, November 26,
in the Middle School Little Theater, at 7 p.m.
Joint School Board/Town Board Agenda - October 29, 2001
7 P.M. - Charlotte Sidway Elementary School Dining Room
1. 7 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Update on Past Cooperative Activities
A. Gifts
B. Youth Court
4. Current Activities
A. Youth Advisory Board
B. Job Search
C. Advantage After School Program Grant
5. Future Activities
A. Joint Investing of funds
B. Tabletop/disaster simulations
C. CPR (with Fire Co.) - Health Association
6. Discussion
A. Ransom Road Parking
School Board Agenda - October 22, 2001
7 P.M. - High School Library
1. 7 P.M. - Call to Order - High School Library
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Voice of the People
4. Correspondence
5. Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes - 9/24/01
6. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Special Education Meeting Minutes - 8/28, 10/2, 10/9 and 10/11/01
B. Grand Island School District Plan for Special Education Services for Children with Disabilities 2001-02
7. Business and Finance
A. Warrants
B. For Your Information
1) Treasurer's Report - August, 2001
2) Payroll - 9/21 and 10/5/01
3) Investments - July, 2001
4) Revenues - July, August and September, 2001
5) Extra Classroom Activity Fund - Middle School - 9/30/2001
6 Budget Transfers
8. Personnel
A. Creation of Position
B. Resignations
C. Appointments
9. Board Of Education
A. Audit Report - 6/30/2001
B. Instrumental Tour to Virginia Beach, Va.- April 17-21, 2002
C. H. S. Wind Ensemble/Huth Band - Invitation to NYS Band Directors Association's Annual Symposium - March 8, 2002 - Syracuse, NY
D. Policy - 1st reading
1) Solicitation of Charitable Donations from School Children
E. Policy - 2nd reading
1) Impartial Hearing Officers
F. Approval of Safety Committee Team Members - 2001-02
G. New Teacher Orientation Report - Dr. Karmazin
H. Technology Presentation - Mr. Szafran
10. Next meetings
A. Monday, October 29, 2001 - Joint School/Town Board Meeting - 7 p.m. -Sidway Dining Room
B. Monday, November 26, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m - Middle School Little Theater
District Set To Receive Grant
For State Trooper Resource Officer
By Lee Cohen
Monday, Sept. 24. . .Trustees were informed that Grand Island is one of the districts in line to have a New York State trooper assigned here as the result of a multi-year grant approved by the governor authorizing the program statewide.
“This will not be someone who patrols the halls,” stated Superintendent Paul Fields, who explained that the officer will work in all five buildings overseeing safety and security, serving as a resource person to staff and community, handling traffic for special events, and working in areas of violence prevention. Fields commended Jack Weisenborn, director of special services, for his work in applying for and obtaining the grant.
The superintendent reported on the district’s response to the September 11 tragedy. Elementary students were not informed; instead a letter was sent home explaining the district’s action. Teachers informed middle and high school students and discussions were held in social studies classes. A large-screen TV was set up in the high school, enabling students and staff to watch as time allowed. Students organized a prayer vigil at the high school flag and contributions in excess of $3000 have been collected for disaster relief. “I’m proud of the way everything was handled,” Fields commented.
In board action the Grand Island Ski Club (approximately 400 strong) was approved, as was a grade 8 French field trip to Quebec from May 2-5, 2002, and a joint school/town board meeting on Oct. 29, 2001 at Sidway. Two new high school texts were adopted: The World & Its Cultures, is by Simon & Schuster with a ’97 publication date, and Glencoe-Algebra I, Integration, Applications, Connections, specifically geared to the state’s Math I curriculum. Trustees heard the first reading of a policy revision dealing with impartial hearing officers, which includes the authorization of any board member to make an Impartial Hearing Officer appointment.
In personnel action Adrienne Alterio was terminated as elementary teacher and the resignations of Nancy Heftka and Jennifer McMahon were approved. Appointed to the high school’s Alternative Education program were John Ball, David Lilleck, Maggie Kennedy, Andy Bowen, Harold Cushing, Carolyn Manzo, Tom Gorman, Kevin Murray, John Arnone, Claire Cieslewicz, Bill Stuckwisch, Ardeth Kashahara, and Carrie Earnst. Other approvals: Lori Ohrum, newspaper co-advisor at Connor Middle; Kim Rampino, probationary special ed. teacher; Teresa Corso, probationary teaching assistant; Jennifer Appenheimer, permanent senior clerk typist in the business office; Cathy Markovich, senior clerk typist; Susan Schultz, teacher on special assignment/CSE chairperson (after approval of a leave of absence as a probationary special ed. teacher.)
President Richard McCowan informed trustees that Michael Dlugosz was out of town and excused from the meeting. Led by Sue Gill, vice president, board members discussed proposed bylaws amendments and resolutions for the upcoming state School Boards Association annual meeting in Buffalo in October.
During Voice of the People Gail Lazenby, who said he was speaking for residents of the New England Village area (east of the high school), asked that trustees support the town board in placing parking restrictions (from 7 to 10 a.m.) in that area to eliminate student parking. “It’s not the school district’s problem,” commented McCowan. “We’ve already given support to the town board.” After discussion, however, trustees directed Dr. Fields to write a letter in support of the action.
The board does not meet again until Monday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in the high school library, followed by the joint town/school board meeting in the Sidway dining room the following Monday, also at 7 p.m.
Trustees Receive Regents Results Report
By Lee Cohen
Monday, Sept. 10, 2001. . .Dr. James Dempsey, high school principal, presented a preliminary review of Regents results for the Class of 200l. Comprehensive English continued to show improvement, with 86 percent of those taking the exam scoring 65 or above, and with 65 students at mastery (85-100 percent). All 50 students taking the French Regents passed with 65 or above, while 94 percent of the 97 students taking the Spanish exam passed at that level.
In Math I, of 103 taking the exam, 76 percent (78 students) earned 65 or above, down slightly from the previous year. For Math II, with 218 tested, 88 percent passed with 65 or above, showing improvement over three years. Math III continued the improved results of the year before, with 88 percent (133 of 152 students) passing at 65 or above.
In earth science, of 233 taking the exam, 85 percent (198 students) passed with 65 or higher. There were 145 students who took the chemistry exam and 79 percent passed with 65 or above. Biology results continue outstanding, with 99 percent passing at 65 or above, and with 100 students of the 265 tested scoring at the mastery level (85 or above). Of 71 students taking the physics exam, 90 percent passed at 65 or above, down from the previous two years. Global studies results show that 310 students took the exam and 85 percent passed at 65 or above. U.S. history had 78 percent of 217 students passing with 65 or above, down from the previous two years. Dempsey said that the complete report will be part of the district’s “Report Card” from the state, issued in the spring.
Citing the potential danger from having as many as 32 middle schoolers waiting for the school bus at Baseline and Woodstream, Linda Richter of the Woodstream subdivision presented a petition with 150 names asking the school board to consider providing three to four bus stops along Woodstream. She pointed out that the bus would not have to turn around as there is another exit from the area. Board president Richard McCowan directed the superintendent to investigate the situation and report back to trustees at a later meeting.
In board action trustees approved participation in BOCES cooperative fuel bids and voted for Warren Schlifke as NYS School Board Association Area 1 director. Superintendent Paul Fields reported that opening day had gone smoothly and that enrollment stood at 3251, up slightly from last year. Senior Scott McMichael was recognized for having been named a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship program.
In personnel action Carol Jones received tenure as director of Pupil Personnel Services; Sandra Lamb was named Readers Club advisor at Connor Middle; and resignations were accepted from Cheryl Lazzaro-Fererici and from district personnel clerk Lynn Bennett, who is retiring. Receiving permanent appointments were Kathy Tim, senior clerk typist in the athletics office, and Teresa Voltz, baker. Nancy Heftka was named a temporary food service helper.
Kaegebein activity advisors were appointed as follows: Alexann Incao, art club; Sue Waters, 4th/5th grade chorus; Cyndi Booker, computer club; Mike Stark, safety patrol; Lesli Sandusky, student mentor program; Sherm Lyke, band director; Christine Clendening, 3rd grade chorus; Kathy Chadwick & Joanne Piccione, homework club; Kelly Robertson, string ensemble; Nanci Pieta, Destination Imagination.
Monday night’s meeting, held at Eco Island Nature Center, began with a presentation by Dianne Tiede, director of the center. Her All About Birds project, dedicated to the memory of Hazel Link, is now complete and has two sections: “Bills & Feet” and “Lifelike Birds.” The latter includes nests, models of common birds and a song simulator. Tiede explained that the project “is the last big one to be completed. We have no more room.” She now would like to concentrate on having teachers come to the center with their classes and hopes to encourage them to take the 10-hour course about Eco Island through the Teacher Center. “It’s not enough that they just come down. They have to know what to do.” She is working with Dr. Karen Karmazin, director of curriculum and instruction, to have time during a Staff Development Day to hold tours. “There are many new teachers in the district who are unaware of the center,” she explained.
During Voice of the People Dr. Fields reported that the district’s capital project is now undergoing final review in Albany. Trustees will meet again this month on the 27th, in the Connor Middle School Little Theater at 7 p.m.
School Board Agenda - September 10, 2001
7 P.M. - Eco Island
1. 7 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Voice of the People
4. Correspondence
5. Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes - 8/27/01
6. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Preschool Special Education Meeting Minutes - 9/6/01
7. Business and Finance
A. For Your Information
1) Payroll - 8/24 and 8/31
2) Treasurer's Report - July 2001
3) Budget Transfers
8. Personnel
A. Personnel Status Report
B. Resignations
C. Appointments
9. Baord Of Education
A. BOCES Cooperative Fuel Bid
B. election - NYSSBA Area 1 Director
C. High School Regents Exam Results
10. Next meetings
A. Monday, September 24, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
B. September 10, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m - Eco Island
C. Monday, October 22, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m - High School Library
Trustees Award Bids For Middle School
Science Room Renovations
By Lee Cohen
Monday, August 27. . .Personnel matters took up most of the brief
5:30 p.m. public meeting, but following a lengthy executive session trustees
voted to award three bids for renovations to two Connor Middle School science
rooms.
The rooms' ducts currently are vented into the general air circulation, causing
odors in the building during science experiments. Renovation work will include
replacing five hoods with ones which vent directly to the outside, plus ceiling,
lighting and electrical work.
Bids were awarded to Cloverbank Construction for $23,000; to DWC Mechanical for
$13,595; and to Goodwin Electrical, for $9,450. Outside work will begin as soon
as possible in order to be completed by December, with the inside work to be
done during the winter break. Students will not use the rooms while interior
work is in progress.
In board action trustees approved three policies following a second reading.
They are Statewide Uniform Violent Incident Reporting System; Teacher Removal of
Disruptive Students from the Classroom; and Fingerprinting of Prospective School
Employees. Trustees also approved a fingerprinting resolution which allows the
district to appoint employees who need fingerprinting conditionally until
pending clearance from the state.
The fingerprinting issue drew comments from G.I.T.A. president Gail Lazenby
during Voice of the People. "It's a knee-jerk reaction from the state," he
commented. While he approved of the process, he felt that more time should have
been taken to consider all aspects of the issue. He noted that volunteers do not
need to be fingerprinted, yet they come into more contact with students than
someone such as a referee, who does need finger-printing. "There are people who
are in an out of the buildings, such as contractors, delivery men, service
people who are not fingerprinted. There's no control there," he explained.
In personnel matters the district is minus only one staff member, a teaching
assistant, due to a late resignation, but other than that, Monday's meeting saw
the last of the new hires approved. "We are in good shape because we began our
hiring process in February," commented trustee Sue Gill. More than 25 new
teaching staff, as well as new office personnel, will be on hand to greet
students when schools open on Tuesday.
Appointments: Karen Cartwright, probationary teacher assistant; Sarah
Bifaro, long-term math substitute; Sue Szczublewski, long-term substitute
teaching assistant, Tracey Shores, short-term special ed. substitute; Sharon
Costantini, long-term foreign language substitute, all at Connor Middle.
Also Michael Difonzo, .4 teaching assistant and .6 computer teacher at the high
school; Jody Bates Parsons, probationary teacher assistant at Huth; Debra
ElHoussieny, senior account clerk typist, Barbara Darpino, probationary cook;
and the following teacher aide appointments (probationar): Jennifer Gill,
Kaegebein; Nancy Rizek, Connor Middle; (temporary) Robyn Higgins and
Deborah Cich, Sidway; Sylvia Connors, Connor Middle.
Resignations: Barbara Russo, .4 science; Tom Lloyd, mechanic; Carol
Berlinger, bus driver (retirement). Other resignations were for changes from
teaching assistant positions: Debra Killian, to probationary special ed. teacher
at Connor Middle; Jessica Catalano, to long-term substitute at Huth.
Volunteer coaches were okayed for the fall 2001 season as follows: Julie Roth,
girls tennis, Kris Christiansen and Jeff Johnson, football; Ray Billica, soccer;
Mark Abate, girls swimming; Cal Kern, soccer.
Connor Middle School internal appointments were approved as follows: Program
coordinators : social studies: Gail Lazenby; science: Dave Sherriff;
English: Bob King; technology: Kay Saunders; math: Bill Brodie; foreign
language/reading: Mary Fran Lovelace & Sue Fleming-Brusino; unified arts: Marie
Kronenwetter and Ray Hartmann; Team leaders: Kathy Ginty, Team A; Mary
Domanski, B; Jim Randles, C; Dave Sherriff, D; Sally Zelasko, E; Jayne Schaber,
8th grade; Club advisors: Marlaine Kaniecki and Diane Rumsey,
International Night; Clarke Elliott, jazz ensemble; Camille Starck, Mathletes;
Tom Alberella, Mathletes assistant; Debra Remson, musical; Debra Killian,
newspaper; Marlaine Kaniecki, Odyssey of the Mind; Don Sauer, peer mediation;
Mary Fran Lovelace & Diane Rumsey, foreign language; Pat Myers & Kay Saunders,
student council; Kathy Ginty, Girls Club; Annalea Masiello, show choir.
The board will meet again at its usual time, 7 p.m., on Monday, Sept. 10, at Eco
Island and return to the Middle School Little Theater on Monday, Sept. 24.
State Budget and Local Assessment
Reductions
Spell School Revenue Shortfalls
By Lee Cohen
The "bare bones" state budget has slashed Education Department funding locally
and across New York. The shortfalls have combined with property-value assessment
reductions to severely reduce the revenue the Grand Island School District was
depending on for the 2001-2002 school year. These shortfalls will cause the
residents' property tax warrant to increase over the amount originally projected
by the district. In response the school district Business Office has recently
established a freeze on non-mandated spending.
"Promised revenue from the state has either been delayed or slashed," explained
assistant Superintendent Larry Schaller. "We have to find ways to maintain our
commitment to our many mandates while acting fiscally responsibly."
Along with regular aid being reduced by more than $200,000, massive cuts are
being predicted in Software, Hardware, Textbook, Rescue (emergency repair) Aid,
and Early Grade Class-Reduction Aid, amounting to approximately $360,000.
Reductions in state aid are magnified by recent assessment reduction petitions
submitted this summer by several local corporations and utilities. The last two
years' petitions total more $15 million, which may result in a revenue loss to
the district of approximately $450,000 per year. Petitions for assessment
reduction have been received from Tops Markets, Moore Business Forms, Viacom,
Edwards High Vacuum, Valmed Pharmaceuticals, Niagara Mohawk, and Viatran.
"Shortfalls of this magnitude will have the dual effect of reducing non-mandated
programs and increasing the local share of the financial burden," said Schaller.
"The state's share of our local school budget has already fallen from 48 percent
to 36 percent in the last 15 years. Unfortunately, the local community will be
forced to determine which programs are maintained and which are reduced."
Grand Island 20th On List
For Capital Project Go-ahead
By Lee Cohen
Monday, Aug. 13, 2001. . .Superintendent Paul Fields told trustees at
Monday's meeting that the State Education Department's web site lists Grand
Island as 20th on its list for capital project approval. Lack of personnel in
Albany has slowed the review process, but Fields hopes to see work underway this
year, probably beginning with the music addition to the high school.
By enthusiastic, unanimous vote Myrna Blair was appointed a representative to the
Comprehensive District Education Planning committee. Its purpose is to examine
current curriculum, comparing it with state guidelines for school districts.
Fields explained that although Albany has not yet mandated such a review, it is
"in the works." The district began work last year and Fields commented, "It will
be good to be ahead of the game."
In board action trustees approved participation in BOCES cooperative bids for
athletics and AV supplies and equipment, and in Erie County bids for office
supplies and equipment; okayed the legal notice for the bus bond resolution; and
declared Kaegebein equipment obsolete. The list includes three typewriters, a
duplicating machine, FAX machine, listening stations, book stapler, and a health
office cot and card file cabinet.
The first reading of three policies was presented: Statewide Uniform Violent
Incident Reporting System, Teacher Removal of Disruptive Students from the
Classroom, and Fingerprinting of Prospective School Employees.
Personnel action took up most of the brief meeting and several new appointees
were on hand to be introduced to the five trustees present. All new hires are
being appointed conditionally pending clearance from the State Education
Department and the FBI.
Appointees include Julie Pease, math; Josephine Lockett Hegarty, science; Laurie
Cordero, guidance; Sue Astridge, clerk-typist; Mary Jane Fonte, long-term sub in
home & careers; all at Connor Middle; Robin Crowden, music (Huth); Bev Molak,
district mentor (with a leave of absence as a 2nd grade teacher); Adrienne
Alterio, long-term 2nd grade sub (Kaegebein); Jill Ungaro Ross, English as a
Second Language districtwide. Bonnie DiSanto, RN, was appointed districtwide to
service all schools, including St. Stephen and the Christian School.
Probationary teaching assistants okayed include Nancy Pioli, H.S. (who resigned
as teacher aide); Jessica Catalano & Melissa Tweedy, Huth; Stephanie Little-
Radomski and Stacey Zahradnik, Kaegebein; Tracy Setteducato, Sidway; and Theresa
Wild, Connor Middle. Other appointments: Caroline Lavango, permanent cook
manager; Jeanne Johnson, probationary clerk typist; Hilda DeLong, probationary
cook manager. Resignations accepted: Dave Holmes, special ed. teacher; Earl
Clements, bus driver.
The board's next meeting is on Monday, August 27, again at 5:30 p.m., in the
district conference room.
School Board Agenda - August 13, 2001
5:30 P.M. - District Office Conference Room
1. 5:30 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Voice of the People
4. Correspondence
5. Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes - 7/23/01
6. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Special Education Meeting Minutes - 6/1, 6/4, 6/5, 6/6, 6/7 and 6/11/01
B. Approval of Committee on Preschool Special Education Meeting Minutes - 7/24/01
7. Business and Finance
A. Warrants
B. For Your Information
1) Treasurer'sReport - June, 2001
2) Payroll - 7/13 and 7/27/01
3) Budget Transfers
8. Personnel
A. Personnel Status Report
B. Resignations
C. Leave of Absence
D. Appointments
9. Baord Of Education
A. Comprehensive District Educational Plan (CDEP) - representative
B. Policies - 1st reading
1) Statewide Uniform Violent Incident Reporting System
2) Teacher Removal of Disruptive Students from the Classroom
3) Fingerprinting of Prospective School Employees
C. BOCES Cooperative Bids
1) Athletics
2) Audio Visual Supplies and Equipment
D. Erie County Bid
1) Office Supplies and Equipment
E. Legal Notice - Bus Bond Resolution
F. Obsolete Equipment - Kaegebein
G. YWCA Program Letters of Agreement
1) Kaegebein
2) Sidway
3) Huth
10. Next meetings
A. Monday, August 23, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 5:30 p.m. - District Office Conference Room
B. September 10, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m - Eco Island
C. Monday, September 24, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m - Middle School Little Theater
School Lunch Prices To Rise
By Lee Cohen
Monday, July 23. . .School trustees, at their Monday night meeting, approved raising lunch prices for 2001-2 based on results of a survey of area school district fees. Elementary lunches will rise by 10 cents to $1.35, and middle and high school lunches will increase by 15 cents to $1.65. The latter will be higher than what has been charged at similar schools as of 2000. Adult lunches will be $2.95, up by 20 cents, including tax. Dennis Donovan, food services director, reported that pupil participation had increased by 16,000 lunches last year.
Personnel approvals continue to take up most of each board meeting. Appointed as Huth co-curricular advisors are Alan Ripley, band; Carol Horrigan, 3rd grade, girls and select choruses; Peter Sloan, art club; Cynthia Beery, sign language club; Cyndi Kaiser, safety patrol; Michelle Graziano, homework club; Kelly Robertson, string ensemble.
Marie Kronenwetter was given a leave of absence as home & careers teacher and appointed district mentor. At the high school Don Pray was named graduation coordinator and Mary Walter, co-advisor to the student council. Sidway coordinators approved: Nancy Petersen, gr. 1; Elaine Freedman, kindergarten. Fall coaches approved: Don Sauer, girls & boys cross country; Nancy Keller, girls & boys modified volleyball.
Probationary appointments include Heather Maras, former GIFTS coordinator, as Connor Middle social worker; and at the high school Joanne Koehler, math teaching assistant in the Learning Center; Ardeth Kasahara, English; Kevin Murray and David Lillek, social studies; Amanda Becker, Spanish. At the elementary level Julie Roth, long-term substitute; Frances Redlinski, short-term substitute; Kelly Robertson, .4 strings teacher. Summer appointments include Faith Mantione, detail work; Joanne MacClellan, substitute hall monitor; Stephanie Gill, laborer. (Trustee Sue Gill abstained from the vote on the latter.) Approval of all new staff after June 30 is contingent on fingerprinting, mandated by the state.
Bill Miller, high school assistant principal, reported to the board on graduation. Of 217 seniors, 204 received diplomas, including six IEP (Individual Education Program). There were 125 Regents diplomas granted, representing 52.8 percent of the class, the highest rate in several years. Scholarships were awarded to 38 students and 44 Certificates of Employability were issued.
He also updated trustees on the summer school education program. There are approximately 350 students enrolled, all Islanders, similar to other years. Of those 77 are middle schoolers, and 54 are attending driver education. Miller said that attendance is no longer a criterion for dismissal from summer school according to state regulations, which has caused some absences. Trustees approved two new textbooks: for science, gr. 8, and French, grades 7 & 8. The books were on hand for board members to inspect.
Board members decided to change the time of their August meetings to 5: 30 p.m. on Monday the 13th and 27th in the district conference room. At board president Richard McCowan’s suggestion, trustees will meet with the town board on the 5th Monday in October. Some were concerned that the date was before the town election and they did not want to make the meeting a political forum. Michael Dlugosz’s comment, “Perhaps we can win some concessions,” drew a laugh from the group.
School Board Agenda - July 23, 2001
7:00 P.M. - District Office Conference Room
1. 7:00 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Voice of the People
4. Correspondence
5. Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes - 6/25, 7/9/01 (Reorganizational and Regular Business Meeting)
6. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Special Education Meeting Minutes - 5/29 and 5/31/01
7. Personnel
A. Personnel Status Report
B. Leave of Absence
C. Appointments
8. Board of Education
A. Textbook Approval
1) Science (Grade 8, Regular)
2) French (Grades 7 & 8)
B. School Lunch Prices for 2001 school year
C. High School Summer School Report
D. High School Graduation Report
9. Next Meetings
A. Monday, August 13, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - District Office Conference Room
B. Monday, August 27, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - District Office Conference Room
McCowan, Gill Reelected School Board President, Vice-President
By Lee Cohen
Monday, July 9. . .At its annual reorganization meeting, school trustees elected Dr. Richard McCowan to a fifth year as Board President and Sue Gill to her second year as Vice-President. The oath of office was administered to reelected Trustees Jeri Schopp, for a sixth term, and Myrna Blair, for a second full term.
Appointments to Erie County School Board committees were as follows: Blair, Representative to the Delegate Assembly and Legislative Committee; Gill, Alternate to Delegate Assembly; and David Goris, Representative to the Budget & Finance team. In addition, Blair was named Delegate to the NYS School Board's annual meeting (to be held in Buffalo), with Schopp as Alternate.
A brief regular meeting, dealing mainly with personnel matters, followed the reorganization meeting. The resignation of Teaching Assistant Maria Kohne was accepted. Mike Stauffer was reappointed .5 Phys. Ed. Teacher and .5 long-term Phys. Ed. Substitute. Renee Jagiello was granted a Sidway probationary Special Ed. Teacher appointment, and Kimberly Rampino was named a Connor Middle long-term Substitute Special Ed. Teacher.
Grade level and program coordinators were appointed as follows: Kaegebein: Cyndi Booker, Gr. 2; Maria Seibert, Gr. 3; Kathy Fik, Gr. 4; Sue Salinas & Mike Stark, Gr. 5. Huth: Ann Agnello, Gr. 2; Celeste Angelo, Gr. 3; Elaine Kasprzyk, Gr. 4; Michelle Graziano, Gr. 5. High School: Mary Therrien, Social Studies; Claire Cieslewicz, Science; Mary Smith, Technology; Bobbi Frisoni, School-to-Work Coordinator; Tim Oldenburg, Business/Technology/Home & Careers; Debbie Billica, Math; Mark Lamparelli, Foreign Language; Marlowe Beis, English. Districtwide: Jon Roth, Phys. Ed.; Sherm Lyke, Music, Dianne Tiede, Eco Island.
High School club advisor appointments: Cindy Wynne, Art Club; Tim Oldenburg, DECA; Dorea Holmes, Humanities Club; Maggie Kennedy, International Club; Carrie Earnst, Masterminds; Daneen Gallagher, NFL Student Advisory; Mark Lamparelli, National Honor Society; Marty Allen, Pep Band; Mollie Bowers, SADD; Megan Hoy & Kathy Scarafia, Spotlighters; Sherm Lyke, Stage Band (Jazz Ensemble); Gary Jackson, Stage Crew Director; Kathy Scarafia, Student Council; Mary Smith, Website; Bobbi Frisoni & Mary Smith, Yearbook.
Serving as volunteer Advisors are Sandy Burns, Entrepreneurship; Lynn Makowski, Kids Vote; Julie Johnson, Rotary Interact; Kathy Scarafia, Recycle Club. Serving as Class Advisors are Julie Johnson & John Ball, Freshmen; Carrie Earnst & Andy Bowen, Sophomores; Kathy Scarafia & Tom Gorman, Juniors; Mark Lamparelli & Brian Winger, Seniors. Appointed for the musical: Marty Allen, Orchestra Director; Nancy Lang, Choreographer; Carolyn Lokken & Nancy Lang, Co-directors; Carolyn Lokken, Publicity and Vocal Director.
Teacher appointments for summer school are Monica Harrington, Winanne Messing, Herb Westfall, Cheryl Chamberlain, Carrie Earnst, Kevin Murray, Carolyn Manzo, Karen Surdyke, Jim Wysocki and Marlene Winkler. Ryan McDonough was given a 2001 summer Laborer appointment.
In other action, trustees nominated Wayne Schlifke as NYS School Board's Area 1 Director and approved participation in BOCES cooperative bidding for office, art, paper, software, furniture, computer, bread product and calculator supplies.
Reorganization Meeting
At the reorganization meeting, the following designations were made: Nancy Sandford, Blaise Nicola and Jeanne McMahon (Senior Account Clerk) were reappointed, respectively, District Clerk, District Treasurer and Alternate Treasurer. Continuing as School Attorneys were the law offices of Bouvier O'Connor, with Chris G. Trapp as designated School Attorney; and John Del Monte, Attorney at Law. Eugene D. Mahaney, CPA, District Auditor of Lumsden & McCormick, will continue for the coming year.
The Buffalo News and the Island Dispatch were named official newspapers; and this e-paper, www.IsledeGrande.com, was recognized, although it could not be named an official paper because it is not a subscription service. All board policies were approved, and a mileage reimbursement rate of 32 & 1/2 cents/mile was established. Petty cash funds of $100 each were approved for each school, the District Office, and the Transportation, Continuing Education and Buildings and Grounds Departments, with $200 allocated for interscholastic athletics and the school lunch office. Principals James Dempsey, High School, and Bruce Benson, Connor Middle, were designated Central Treasurers for extra-classroom activity funds in their buildings.
Trustees approved the Superintendent to borrow maximum amounts allowed on revenue notes and tax anticipation notes in expectation of revenue from real estate taxes and state aid. The following authorizations were made: Chief School Officer to certify payroll; approve attendance at conferences, conventions, and workshops within the scope of program budgets; approve budget transfers; be Title IX Coordinator; be Sexual Harassment Complaint Officer; authorize signatures for vehicle registrations; be Civil Service Appointing Officer; and be Alternate Purchasing Agent.
Also, Larry Schaller was approved as Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance, as Purchasing Agent, Investor of District Funds, Signatory on transfers from savings to checking accounts (with Jeanne McMahon as Alternate) and for vehicle registrations. Schaller also is Designee for monitoring federal fund expenditures, carryover of Title I funds, reviewing fiscal expenditures and assuring Title I funds are used to supplement and not supplant state and local funds. Other designations: Nancy Sandford, Records Retention and Disposition Officer; Dr. Karen Karmazin, Curriculum Director, as Title I Coordinator; Carol Jones, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, as Chapter 504 Coordinator; and Jack Weisenborn, Safety Risk Management Officer.
Bank designations are as follows: Chase, CitiBank New York State, Key Bank of N.Y., First Niagara, M&T Trust, HSBC, and Fleet. Official depositories are M&T: checking accounts for General Fund, School Lunch Fund, Trust & Agency Fund, Capital Fund, and Payroll; and savings account for General Fund; HSBC: Federal Aid, Capital Fund, and Extra-Classroom Activity Funds for High and Middle School. Facsimile signatures of the Treasurer and Alternate Treasurer were approved for use for all bank accounts. The District, Alternate and Central Treasurers are all bonded through the district's general liability policy.
Trustees will reconvene on Monday, July 23, for a brief meeting in the District Board Room at 7 p.m.
School Board Agenda - Reorganizational Meeting July 9, 2001
7:00 P.M. - Middle School Little Theater
1. 7:00 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Appointment of Temporary Chairman
A. Approval of Committee on Special Education Meeting Minutes - 5/11, 5/17, 5/22 and 5/25/01
5. Administration of Oaths to Newly Elected Board Members
A. Jeri Schopp
B. Myrna Blair
6. Election of Officers
A. President
1) Oath of Office of President
B. Vice President
1) Oath of Office of Vice President
7. Appointment of Officers:
A. Superintendent of Schools
B. District Treasurer
C. Alternate Treasurer
D. District Clerk
E. Oaths of Office
8. Other Appointments:
A. School Attorneys:
1. Law offices of Bouvier, O'Connor
2. John DelMonte, Attorney at Law, Designated School Attorney
B. School District Auditor:
1. Lumsden & McCormick:
Eugene D. Mahaney
C. Central Treasurers of Extra Classroom Activity Funds:
1. High School- James Dempsey
2. Middle School - Bruce Benson
D. Civil Service Appointing Officer: Paul D. Fields
9. Designations:
A. Official Bank Depositories (per Section 2129 of Education Law)
1. J P Morgan Chase
2. CitiBank New York State, N.A.
3. Key Bank of New York, A.A.
4. First Niagara Bank
5. Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
6. HSBC
7. Fleet Bank, N.A.
B. Official Bank Depository Accounts (for information):
1. Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company
a. checking Accounts
General Fund
School Lunch Fund
Trust and Agency Fund
Capital Fund
Payroll
b. Savings Accounts
General Fund
2. HSBC
Federal Aid
Exraclassroom Activity Fund - High School
Exraclassroom Activity Fund - Middle School
C. Designation of Official Newspapers:
1. Buffalo News
2. Island Dispatch
D. Facsimile signatures of Treasurer and Alternate Treasurer Approved for Use for All Bank Accounts
10. Authorizations
A. Chief School Officer to Certify Payroll
B. Assistant Superintendent for Business as Purchasing Agent, including advertising and opening bids, according to law.
1. Alternate Purchasing Agent: Superintendent of Schools
C. Assistant Superintendent for Business:
Authorization to invest school district funds in accordance with Sections 1604-A and 1723-A of the NYS Education Law, school policy and procedures, and any other pertinent regulation.
D. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance be the designee for:
1. Monitoring expenditures of Federal Funds
2. Monitoring the carryover of Title I funds from one year to the next
3. Assuring that grants of Federal Funds for Title I programs are used to supplement and not supplant state and local funds
4. Reviewing of Fiscal Expenditures
E. Chief School Officer to approve attendance at conferences, conventions, workshops, etc., within the scope of individual program budgets.
F. RESOLUTION that the Chief School Officer of the Board of Education is hereby authorized to borrow maximum allowable amounts by law on Tax Anticipation Notes and Revenue Notes, as per attached documents
G. Authorization to Establish Petty Cash Funds:
1. District Office - Nancy Sandford - $100
2. High School - James Dempsey - $100
3. Middle School - Bruce Benson - $100
4. Huth Road Elementary - Marian Koppmann - $100
5. Kaegebein Elementary - John Wiertel - $100
6. Sidway Elementary - Frank Cannata - $100
7. Interscholastic Athletics - Kathy Tim - $200
8. Transportation - Jack Burns - $100
9. School Lunch Office - Dennis Donovan - $200
10. Continuing Education - James Mazza - $100
11. Buildings & Grounds - Donn Perry - $100
H. Designation of Authorized Signature on Checks:
1. Treasurer or Alternate Treasurer
I. Designation of Authorized Signature on Transfers from savings accounts to checking accounts:
1. Lawrence Schaller, Assistant Superintendent for Business
2. Debbie ElHoussieny, Senior Account Clerk
J. Authorize Chief School Officer to Approve Budget Transfers between function codes.
K. Authorize Nancy Sandford to be the Records Retention and Disposition Officer for the Grand Island Central School District for the 2001-02 school year.
L. Authorized Signatures for Vehicle Registrations:
1. Paul D. Fields
2. Lawrence Schaller
M. Authorize Superintendent as Title IX Coordinator for the District for the 2001-02 school year.
N. Authorize Carol Jones as Chapter 504 Coordinator for the District for the 2001-02 school year.
O. Authorize Karen Karmazin as Title I Coordinator for the District for the 2001-02 school year.
P. Authorize Jack Weisenborn as Safety Risk Management Officer for the District for the 2001-02 school year.
Q. Authorize Superintendent as Sexual Harassment Complaint Officer
11. Bonding Personnel (for information only):
A. The following are bonded through the General Liability Policy of the school district:
1. District Treasurer
2. Alternate Treasurer
3. Central Treasurer
12. Other Items:
A. Establish mileage reimbursement rate @ 32.5 cents per mile
B. Erie County Association of School Boards Committee Appointments:
1. Board Member Delegate to Delegate Assembly
2. Alternate Board Member Delegate to Delegate Assembly
3. Representataive(s) on Legislative Committee
4. Representative(s) to the Budget & Finance Team
C. New York State School Board Association Appointments:
1. Delegate to NYSSBA Annual Business Meeting
2. Alternate Delegate to NYSSBA Annual Business Meeting
D. Renewal of Board Policies
13 Adjourn
School Board Agenda - July 9, 2001
7:00 P.M. - Middle School Little Theater
1. 7:00 P.M. - Call to Order after Reorganizational Meeting
2. Voice of the People
3. Correspondence
4. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Special Education Meeting Minutes - 5/11, 5/17, 5/22 and 5/25/01
5. Business and Finance
A. Warrants
B. For Your Information
1) Treasurer's Report -May 2001
2) Payroll- June 29, 2001
3) Budget Transfers
6. Personnel
A. Status Report
B. Appointments
7. Board of Education
A. Nominations of NYSSBA Area 1 Director
B. Participation in the following BOCES Co-operative Bids
1) Paper and Dupicating Supplies
2) Office and Art Supplies
3) Bread and Bread Products
4) Software
5) Classroom Furniture
6) Calculators
7) Microcomputer Supplies
8. Next Meetings:
A. Monday, July 23, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
B. Monday, August 13, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
C. Monday, August 27, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
D. Appointments
Eighth graders do well on new state tests
By Lee Cohen
Monday, June 25. . .
Connor Middle Principal Bruce Benson and social studies coordinator Gail Lazenby reported that 8th graders had done well on two state tests: the intermediate science and social studies assessments. Of 243 students tested, 232 (95.4 percent) met or exceeded the state's new standards in science. Only 11 8th graders scored at Performance Level 2 (not fully meeting the standards), and none scored at Level 1. In social studies of 262 tested, 251 (95.8 percent) met or exceeded state standards. Of the 11 who scored at Level 2, nine are in special education and already receiving academic intervention services. Only two, then, of regular education students, are not meeting the standards and will be eligible for intervention services. The tests have nothing to do with promotion or grades; they merely help the school district pinpoint students who need academic intervention.
High school teacher Bobbi Frisoni reviewed the district's School-to-Work program together with Class of 2001 graduates Shawn Goss, who provided an AV presentation, and Stephanie McGinn, Erin McCanna, Kelly Hayes and Liz Webb, who discussed how the program had benefitted them. School-to-Work was begun about seven years ago, and Frisoni thanked Dr. Fields and the school board for making it possible for the program to expand and to be successful. She also acknowledged the work of teacher Sandy Burns in carrying out the program, which includes Job Search, Shadow Day, career internships, Social Edge seminar, portfolio preparation, enrichment activities, community involvement, assistance at kindergarten orientation, fundraising for Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Superintendent Paul Fields reported on how the district had met its goals for the year. The Capital Project goal awaits the go-ahead from Albany, and the Performance Contract of the plan is nearing completion on schedule. The goal of implementing the SAVE program is fully implemented. The goal of providing mandated curriculum changes is on track with the district's mapping program, instituted by curriculum director Karen Karmazin. The goal of teacher recruitment was a success, with more than 300 interviews conducted and new teachers being hired. Finally, the goal of developing a five-year fiscal plan will be the No. 1 priority for next year, postponed due to the focus on the Capital Project preparation.
All district nurses were on hand to announce the appointment of Cindy Kaiser (Huth) as president of the NYS Association of School Nurses and of Mary Beth Bush (Sidway), who was named School Nurse of Distinction by the WNY Association of School Nurses.
In personnel action the board appointed 12 new teachers, several of whom were in the audience and introduced by their respective principals. They include (at the high school) Karen Surdyke, Jim Wysocki and Marlene Winkler, math; Sean Reddien, Laura Briganti, Robert Collard, Jonathan Head, Barbara Russo, science; Dana Allen, art; Mary Schultz Smith, computers. Also Sue Campbell, Connor Middle English; Deanna Serio, Kaegebein; Marnie Jasinski, Sidway long-term sub. Other appointments: Russ Certo, boys JV soccer; Ray Billica, volunteer soccer team coach.School-related personnel appointments include Debbie Moriarty and Sue Carter, probationary senior clerk typists, Deborah Mucci, Connor Middle cafeteria monitor.
Summer appointments: Tom Feeney, Sabrina London, Bob Wakefield, Sandy Beach, Jim LaBarbera, Karen Beacher, Debra Killian (teachers); Cyndi Kasier and Paula McDonnell, RNs; Pat Conta, hall monitor; Donnie Astridge, Mick Walworth, Yianna Shafer, Tom Rachow, temporary laborers; Patricia Ruckinger, temporary cleaner. Temporary transportation workers: Kathy Jackson, Nancy West, Sharlene Raepple (detail); Janie Campbell, Roxanne Russell, Marcella Buell (bus drivers); Nancy Hollinger, Kathy Menter, Arlene Graff (monitors).
Resignations accepted with regret for retirement: Sandy Marcussen, MS guidance; Carolyn Grobe and Sharon Thompson, teaching assistants; Sandy Wolgast, Kaegebein; Jeanne McMahon, senior account clerk typist; John Miller, bus driver. Other retirements: Andy Curtis, cross-country coach; Linda Piechowiak and Arthur DiMartile, bus drivers. Leave of absence: Michelle Thiele, child care; Nancy Sandford, as senior clerk typist to be appointed secretary to the superintendent.
Tenure was granted to Andrea LaVere, Nanci Peita, Julia Fuchs, Jennifer Kropidlowski, Deanna Cannavo (elementary); Henry Carney (phys. ed.); Tanya Weidner (foreign language); Sara Russo, Annalea Masiello (music); Lisa Amsdill, Dan Sweeney (math); Kathy Scarafia, Tom Gorman (English); Carrie Earnst (social studies); Theresa Barnack (art); Beth Borenzweig (social work); Valeria Swain, Jody Slipko (teaching assistants). Also approved were lists of substitute appointments in all areas for the coming year.
In board action trustees approved renewing its association with Promedicus for health care services with an annual retainer of $5000, heard the second reading of the policy on school safety, and then approved it as well as the final plans for implementing the district's code of conduct and school safety plans. Also okayed was the board's meeting schedule for the coming year, to continue on Monday nights at 7 p.m., generally in Connor Middle School Little Theater, with visitations to other locations beginning in September. The board will hold its reorganization meeting Monday, July 9, followed by a regular business meeting.
District Receives State Sportsmanship Award
By Lee Cohen
Monday, June 11. . .The Little Theater was "standing room only" as
the school board recognized a number of students for outstanding achievement.
Art Teacher Nora Klein introduced 8th grader Devon Toth, whose ceramic plate
will be exhibited at the Impact Gallery in the Tri-Main Building this month as
part of an exhibit of young women artists. Devon explained her inspiration for
the plate, which won in an adjudicated show. Two 10th grade language students,
Ann Marie Goss and Tierney Smith, were introduced by French Teacher Tracy
Beatty. A letter they wrote in French about Grand Island was featured in Bonjour, the international French scholastic
magazine. Ann Marie and Tierney read the letter in English. Replies have been received, in French, from students in Greece,
Austria, and Germany.
Athletic honors
Jon Roth, Athletic Director, reported that the Grand Island Vikings sports teams
finished second (behind Lockport's much larger high school) in the Niagara
Frontier League for the President's Trophy final standings. In addition, the
high school's athletic program was one of only three honored by New York State
for outstanding efforts in sportsmanship. Superintendent Paul Fields and the
school board commended Roth for his leadership, and Roth, in turn, complimented
his coaches for their commitment to improve sportsmanship.
He noted that five track and field athletes had qualified for the state meet:
Jenny Rogan, Erica Burns, Alison Hudson, Becky Goelz and Mark Hajnos.
Roth introduced the Outstanding Athlete choices for each grade level, determined
by all coaches, for 2000-2001. They are Corinne Razem, Mike Blocho, grade 9;
Jennifer Rogan, Jamie Dougherty, Jeremy Roberts, gr. 10; Sally Head, Bryan
Brown, gr. 11; Bea Bruno, Mark Hajnos, gr. 12. Hajnos set the Grand Island
record at 6'4" for the high jump. Roth told the board that Jen Banker has been
honored by being nominated to coach in this year's WNY Empire Games.br>
Four scholar-athlete teams were presented. The Girls' Basketball team, coached by
Jen Banker, with an average of 92.93, included Jen Breier, Bea Bruno, Erin
Frieday, Sally Head, Katie Remus, Savannah Stolzenburg and Katie Yaksich. The
Girls' Track team (91.83), coached by Andy Curtis, included Kelly Beatty, Mandy
Benko, Colleen Clark, Tina Coates, Rachelle Colosi, Stacey Edwards, Christy
Gibney, Becky Goelz, Elly Henderson, Alison Hudson, Margaret Kiehl, Danielle
Podlucky, Jen Rogen, Allison Siehnel, Melissa Sipos, Jamie Stickl, Lori Vaylen,
Mary Beth Lacki, Cory Stolzenburg and Meghan White. The Boys' Track team (91.29),
coached by Don Sauer, included Gary Asbach, Bryan Brown, Kyle Bullock, Kevin
Buzelli, Doug Ingraham, Jacob LaLiberty, Derrek O'Brien, Joe Pasqualichio, Phil
Razem, Mark Rotella, Chris Sica, Jeff Sipos and Jordan Funk. The Boys' Tennis
team (90.12), coached by Walt Cline, included Drew Armusewicz, Steve Asbach,
Jon Crossley, Steve Beatty, Matt Fields, Adam Kaiser, Jacob Lange, Chris Smith,
Sat Virk and Steve Pfetsch.
Personnel Action
New teachers were approved for September. Several of the appointees were in the
audience and introduced by their respective principals. They include Jill
Koelmeyer (who resigned as a Teaching assistant) and Tanya Gallagher (Huth);
Andrea Solecki and Amy Hopkins (Kaegebein); Jeanne Percival and Diane Lipp
(Sidway). Koelmeyer, Percival and Lipp are Grand Island High School graduates.
Trustees approved creation of the following positions for fall: a full-time
teacher in English, Science, Art, and Foreign Language; a school social worker;
a .4 Science teacher, and a .6 teaching assistant.
Long-time high school teachers continue to retire. Accepted with regret were the
resignations of Jean Wang, Social Studies; Tom Hoolihan, Science; Maryanne
Petrosino, Math; Norm Wessel, Chemistry; Ken Orlowski, Computers. Teaching
Assistant Nancy Hayes, who taught in the district's GED program, is also
retiring. The resignations for retirement purposes of four key
Senior
Secretaries were also approved: Sharon Kane, Curriculum Office; Nancy Hausler,
High School Office; Betty Furgele, Business Office; Mary Ellen Kippley, Athletic
Office.
Named to the Kindergarten Screening Team were Mary Beth Bush, RN; Karen Tracy,
Speech; Joyce Cowan, Melissa Fiorella, Marie Hartz and Cheryl Stott, Teachers.
Other appointees: fall JV Volleyball Coaches Mike Cole (girls') and Bill Schultz
(boys'); Bonnie Jo Rupert, probationary Food Service Helper. Cheryl Federici was
named Teacher on Special Assignment/CSE Chairperson for the coming year.
Teaching summer school will be Tony Miller, Lori Ohrum, Loretta Condino-Grupp,
Mike Murray, Lynn Makowski, Andy Bowen, Mary Walter, Laura Murray, Craig Davis,
Mike Manzo, Julie Johnson and Mike Parzymieso. Leaves of absence were granted to
Karen Grade (Foreign Language), Lisa Dane (Instructional Technology Specialist),
and Linda Piechowiak (Bus Driver) for child care.
Curriculum Development
Dr. Karen Karmazin, Curriculum Director, presented several addenda to the
District's 2001-2002 Professional Development Plan. Two hours of professional
development entitled "Safe Schools Prevention Planning" will be conducted during
opening day for faculty and staff, with additional training at each building
during the year. Faculty and administrative staff will be offered courses
through Erie 1 BOCES to enable them to become district turnkeys:
Differentiated Instruction, Developing Integrated/Interdisciplinary
Units and Understanding by Design. Karmazin hopes to have two faculty
from each building attend the sessions. Two SUNY Buffalo graduate courses,
Introduction to Educational Technology and Cultures and Schools by
Improving Intercultural Interactions in Multicultural Classrooms, will be
taught at the Teacher Center.
Regular Business
The six trustees present voted to approve a resolution, prepared by School
Attorney John Del Monte, allowing the district to discuss the possibility of
entering into a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the area's Building Trades
Council to employ union labor for the Capital Project. It allows district
personnel to negotiate and return to the board with a proposed PLA. The outcome
will depend upon a cost analysis, balancing and weighing whether the expense
will be within the Capital Project budget and will be justified. The board
approved the new mandated Code of Conduct after a second reading, heard the
first reading of the district's School Safety Plans, declared worn weight room
equipment obsolete (three exercise steppers and two exercise bikes), and
accepted the donation of an electric typewriter from Islander Brenda Fike.
Voice of the People
Prior to the meeting, Trustee Frank DelSignore told the audience that he had
received a letter of complaint which had been unsigned. "I read it and threw it
away. We do not consider unsigned letters," he explained. "People have to own up
to what they do." Other trustees concurred.
During Voice of the People, Gail Lazenby, Grand Island Teachers Association
President, commended trustees for approving personnel by individual votes, rather
than in one sweeping motion. "That makes tenure clear-cut," he explained. Staff
now will be tenured in the order each is approved, avoiding problems with
seniority should there need to be layoffs. He also commended the board for
agreeing to adopt a resolution agreeing to look into the possibility of a PLA
agreement. "It provides work for our own people, not imported laborers. If you
buy cheap, you pay in the long run," he said.
In an update on the Capital Project during Voice of the People, Assistant
Superintendent Larry Schaller said the district was still waiting to hear from
Albany on the Ransom Road phase of the project; hopefully it would be within the next two to
three weeks. "We've answered all their questions and complied with all their
requests," he said. "Now we just have to get the go-ahead."
The board will hold a reception for retirees at 6:15 p.m. in the Connor Middle
School Commons area prior to its Monday, June 25, regular business meeting.
School Board Agenda - Special Meeting June 11, 2001
7:00 P.M. - Middle School Little Theater
1. 7:00 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Voice of the People
4. Correspondence
A. Good News
1) Devon Toth - WNY Exhibition of Young Women Artists
2) High School French class - Bonjour
3) NYS Scholar Athlete Awards
5. Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes - 5/21/01
6. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Special Education Meeting Minutes- 3/21, 4/4, 4/5, 5/9, 5/10 and 5/23/01
B. Approval of Committee on Preschool Special Education - 4/25, 5/16 and 5/23/01
7. Business and Finance
A. For Your Information
1) Treasurer's Report - April 2001
2) Payroll - May 18 and June 1, 2001
3) Investments - April 2001
4) Revenues - April 2001
8. Personnel:
A. Personnel Status Report
B. Resignations
C. Creations
D. Appointments
9. Board of Education:
A. Policy - Code of Conduct - 2nd reading
B. Policy - School Safety Plans - 1st reading
C. Addendum to Professional Development Plan - 2001-02
D. Project Labor Agreement
10. Next Meetings
A. Monday, June 25, 2001 - Regular business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
1) 6:15 p.m. - Retiree Reception - Connor Middle School Commons Area
School to Begin on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2001
It takes a village to raise a child, and it took the cooperative efforts of a team of dedicated school district staff to raise the money and supply the expertise to raise the new weather station on the High School roof. From left: Ken Orlowski, Computers; Tony Smith, Math; Jim Szafran, Technology Coordinator; Mary Schultz-Smith, Computers; Claire Cisliewicz, Science Coordinator; Tim Williamson, Science; Tom Hoolihan, Science and Weather Station Coordinator.
By Lee Cohen
May 21, 2001. . .With only four trustees in attendance at Monday night's special
meeting, the 2001-2002 school calendar was approved, with teachers scheduled to
return on Wednesday, August 29, and the first day of classes to be on the day after
Labor Day. School will end on Monday, June 24, 2002, because Regents exams have been
scheduled from June 18-24. Graduation will be June 30 due to the late Regents
exam schedule.
Winter recess will begin on Monday, Dec. 24, with students returning on
Wednesday, Jan. 2. Spring break will run from Monday, March 25, through Friday,
April 5. There will be a February break of three days for students from Friday,
the 15th, through the 19th, dependent on snow days. May also will have a three-day break for students from Thursday, the 23rd, through the 27th, again
dependent on snow days. Four staff development days (without students) have been
scheduled: Tuesday, Nov. 6; Friday, Feb. 15; Thursday, May 23; and Tuesday, June
25.
Although two public hearings had been announced beforehand, a sparse audience was in attendance as School Attorney Chris Trapp conducted the hearings,
mandated by the new Schools Against Violence in Education Act (SAVE). The first
hearing dealt with the District's Code of Conduct, which outlines students'
rights and responsibilities along with consequences for certain disciplinary
actions. The second hearing dealt with the District's Building -Emergency plans.
Although such plans have been in place for more than 10 years here, the State
Education Department guidelines required that they be rewritten in a different
format.
The School Board is required to adopt the plans by the end of the school year.
Trustees thanked Trapp, School Safety Officer Jack Weisenborn and the District
Safety Committee for their work in preparing the documents.
The Board's business meeting also was preceded by recognition of junior Anna
Quider, who had earned a gold medal at the Western New York Science Congress
Competition. Her award-winning project traced the effect of certain organic
fertilizers on plant growth.
High School Principal James Dempsey reported on the state of the Math A Program.
Trustees had referred the matter to the Shared Decision Making (SDM) Committee
following complaints about low Regents test scores in the course. He said that
ten suggestions had been made by the SDM Committee, with input from parents and
teachers, and that most of the ten have been carried out. There have been changes
in procedures, and Math staff has been added for the fall. Student scores have
improved as a result of the changes, Dempsey said.
In personnel action the following resignations for retirement were approved:
Toby Jewett, High School Biology; R. Wayne Tahara, Connor Middle English;
Lillian Wosilait,
Gr. 2 Huth; Jackie Kazmierczak, Gr. 2 Huth; Gail Click, Connor
Middle Secretary. Resignations and terminations approved: Tracey Shickluna,
Connor Middle; Bryan Flynn, High School; Virginia Smiraglia, Food Service;
Carlene Courtney, Connor Cafeteria Monitor. Appointments: Walter Cline,
Assistant Boys' Track Team Coach; Pat Muffoletto, Dan Weselak, Don Sauer, Driver
Ed. Program; Campbell McCabe, Probationary Bus Driver; Ann Ash, Probationary
Food Service Helper.
In other business, trustees heard the first reading of a policy on a Code of
Conduct, declared ancient nurses' room cots obsolete, awarded a bid for used
buses and a truck, awarded bids for Middle and High School Science and
Technology supplies, and approved participation in the Erie County Office
Products bid.
The following coaches have been appointed for fall sports: Football: Dean
Santoria, Head Varsity; Bill Riffel, Steve Steck, Assistants; Mike Stauffer,
Head JV; Mike Zuch, Assistant JV; Henry Carney, Jim Randles, Modified; Soccer:
Pete Prozik, Girls' Varsity; Dave Bowman, Girls' JV; Peter Kuehne, Boys' Varsity;
Cross-Country: Andy Curtis; Golf: Craig Warthling; Girls' Swimming: Mike Murray,
Head; Lee Herbst, Assistant; Girls' Tennis: Jon Roth; Varsity Volleyball: Daneen
Gallagher, Girls; Dave Kelly, Boys; Gymnastics: Tammy Lewis, Head; Lindsay
Andreini, Assistant; Cheerleading: Debbie Billica.
Trustees first met at 6:30 p.m. with High School Principal Dempsey and Science Teacher Tom Hoolihan to
view the new weather station, to see a demonstration of the instruments and how
the weather data is used, and to hear about the District's partnership with
Channel 4.
In Voice of the People following the meeting, senior Kristina Tetkowski expressed
concern that AP Spanish might not have enough students signed up, which would
mean the course would not be offered. To be offered, courses generally require an enrollment of
15 students.
Budget, buses approved;
Blair, Schopp elected
By Lee Cohen
In one of the lowest turnouts in recent years, 637
voters, Islanders approved the 2001-2002 school budget
by a more than two-to-one margin: 461-172. Also
approved was the purchase of buses: 430-197.
Running unopposed, incumbents Myrna Blair and Jeri
Schopp were elected to an additional three-year term
on the board of education, Blair with 490 votes;
Schopp, 511.
School Board Agenda - Special Meeting May 21, 2001
7:00 P.M. - Middle School Little Theater
1. 7:00 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Hearing
A. Code of Conduct
B. School Safety Plan
4. Adjourn Public Hearings
5. Call to Order for Special Education Meeting
6. Voice of the People
7. Correspondence
8. Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes - 4/24/01
9. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Special Education Meeting Minutes - 3/16, 3/23, 3/27, 3/28, 3/29, 4/3, 4/26 and 4/30/01
10. Business and Finance
A. Approval of General Fund and Cafeteria Fund Business Office and Data Center Checks - 3/6, 3/20, 4/3 and 4/24/01
B. For Your Information
1) Treasurer's Report - March 2001
2) Revenues - March 2001
3) Investments - March 2001
4) Budget Transfers
5) Payroll - May 5 and 11, 2001
11. Personnel:
A. Personnel Status Report
B. Resignations
C. Appointments
12. Board of Education:
A. Obsolete Nurses Cots
B. Used Vehicles
C. High School Science Bid
D. Middle School Technology Bid
E. Erie County Office Products Bid
F. Middle School Science Bid
G. School Calendar - 2001-01
H. Policy - 1st reading - Code of Conduct
I. High School - Math A Report
J. Budget/Trustee Voting Results
13. Next Meetings
A. Monday, June 11, 2001 - Regular business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
B. Monday, June 25, 2001 - Regular business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
School district to hold public hearings
on codes of conduct, building safety
plans
By Lee Cohen
Monday,
April 24, 2001. . . The School Board has approved holding a public hearing on
Monday, May 21, to seek community input on its proposed code of conduct and
district and building safety plans. The plans are required as part of the
state's campaign against violence in the schools and are supposed to reflect
community standards. The hearing will be held in the Connor Middle School Little
Theater beginning at 7 p.m.
Highlighting Tuesday's board meeting was a presentation to the district by Kids
Voting Director Lee Tetkowski in honor of Grand Island's ranking first all three
years the program has been in place.
Also receiving special recognition was the High School Band, directed by Marty
Allen, which won top honors at the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational,
held in Chattanooga, Tenn., in April. Allen reported about the event at the
meeting and introduced Band Booster Presidents John and Elaine Gibney. Trustee
Sue Gill, who has long been a staunch advocate for the district's music program,
complimented both the music staff and the community. "I've never known a
district to have such excellent support," she said.
In regular board action trustees approved their administrative share of the Erie
1 BOCES budget in the amount of $89,597 and elected three members (all-non
Islanders) to the BOCES Board of Education.
They okayed two resolutions authorizing the district to purchase material
and supplies through cooperative bidding with the county and with BOCES. Also passed was a special resolution for purchasing furniture through BOCES in preparation for
Capital project expenditures.
The following were named Election Iinspectors for the May 15 budget vote: Ruth
Baker, Chairman; Fayne Certo, Chief Election Inspector; and Karen Bumbernick,
Sandy Caffery, Maureen Cardin, Lynn Henschell, Jeanne Johnson, Jeri Karb, Alphia
Prosser, Clarice Samland, Sherry Schimley, Election Inspectors. Rates are $6.75
for the chief inspector; $6.50 for election inspectors. The chairman's position
is honorary and has been held by Mrs. Baker, a former School Board President,
for many years.
In personnel action, trustees accepted the resignation of Music Teacher Janice
Chisholm and granted leaves of absence to Maureen Gambino for child care (for two
years) and to Laura Sexton, Teacher Aide. Appointments: Arlene Rosman, permanent
Bus Monitor; Teresa Voltz, probationary Baker; Sue Szczublewski, short-term
Teaching-Assistant Substitute; Jodie Swain, long-term Special Ed. Substitute
instead of short-term.
The board will hold a budget hearing on Tuesday, May 1, at 7 p.m. in the Middle
School Little Theater. On Monday, May 21, trustees will convene at 6:30 p.m. in
the same location for a high school presentation, followed by a public hearing
and a special meeting.
School Board Agenda - Special Meeting April 24, 2001
7:00 P.M. - Middle School Little Theater
1. 7:00 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Voice of the People
4. Correspondence
5. Approval of Board of Educatin Meeting Minutes - 3/26, 4/2 and 4/9/01
6. Pupil Services
A. Approval of Committee on Special Education Meeting Minutes - 2/22l, 2/28, 3/8, 3/15, 3/20, 3/22 and 4/4/01
7. Business and Finance
A. Warrants
B. For Your Information
1) Budget Transfers
2) Food Service Report - Sept-Jan. 20001
3) Revenues - February 2001
4) Investments - February 2001
5) Payroll - March 23 and April 6, 2001
6) Treasurer's Report - February 2001
8. Personnel
A. Personnel Status Report
B. Appointments
9. Board of Education
A. 2001-02 BOCES Administrative Budget vote
B. BOCES annual election of three members
C. Appointment of Chairman and Inspectors for Budget/Trustee Vote
D. Resolution authorizing district to purchase through County bidding
E. BOCES Cooperative Furniture Bid
F. High School Math A Report
G. Public Hearing Notices - Monday, May 21, 2001 - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
1) Code of Conduct
2) School District and Building Safety Plan
10. Next Meetings:
A. Tuesday, May 1, 2001 - Budget Hearing - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
B. Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - Budget/Trustee Vote - 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. - High School Gym
C. Monday, May 21, 2001
1) 6:30 p.m. - High School Presentation
2) 7:00 p.m. - Public Hearings and Special BOE meeting - Middle School Little Theater
D. Monday, June 11, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
E. Monday, June 25, 2001 - Regular Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
School Board Incumbents To Run Unchallenged
By Lee Cohen
Grand Islanders will be voting on a $34,964,063 school budget, a $308,659 bus
proposition, and for the two incumbents, trustees Myrna Blair and Jeri Schopp,
on Tuesday, May 15.
The board approved the 2001-2002 budget unanimously on April 9 after adding
additional staff at the high school to augment the district's Academic
Intervention Services (AIS) program, mandated by the state. Trustees also okayed
adding a .2 art and a .2 science teacher if enrollment justifies it. The AIS
additions are teacher assistants for English, math and science who will be
working in the high school's Learning Center. Added earlier in the budget
process were two new high school teachers, in math and English.
The bus proposition, which will not affect this year's tax rate, is for the
purchase of three 60-passenger replacement buses and a wheelchair bus.
Only two petitions were filed for school board seats, those of incumbents Blair
and Schopp. Schopp first won election to the school board in 1986 and will be
serving her 6th term. Blair, who is seeking her 2nd full term, also served for
two years to fill unexpired terms.
The $34 million budget, reduced from the original $37 million spending request,
represents a 2.28 increase from this year's spending plan. Copies of the budget
will be available in the schools on Monday, April 30. A budget hearing will be
held Tuesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Little Theater.
Trustees will convene on Tuesday, April 24 also in the Little Theater at 7 p.m.
for a regular meeting and to vote on the BOCES budget.
Current budget proposal well below Consumer Price Index
By Lee Cohen
Monday,
April 2, 2001. . . Superintendent Paul Fields presented trustees with a
proposed 2001-2002 budget that reflects a 2.19 percent increase over last year's
spending plan, well below the Consumer Price Index (CPI) contingency budget
allowance of 4 percent for increases.
The proposed $34,183,836 spending plan presented at a special session Monday
night had been reduced from an initial proposal of 37 million. The district can
only estimate that tax rate increases will be within the 4 percent range,
inasmuch as property assessment updates have not been completed. A recent
article in the Buffalo News pointed out that although building permits will
increase construction by about $11 million, including commercial properties,
last year there were 34 home permits issued, compared with 44 in 1999.
Assistant Superintendent Larry Schaller explained that the district has less
information than usual when projecting state aid, and that Lottery Aid has been
dramatically reduced. Dr. Fields noted that school districts are the only
governmental agencies that have to prepare their budgets without knowing what
their state aid will be. To complicate the picture three proposed state spending
plans differ widely from each other. The governor's proposal increases school
aid by $400 million; the senate's plan, by $900 million; and the assembly's, by
$1.7 billion. The district is basing its state aid estimate on a conservative
estimate between the governor's and senate's plans.
To increase revenues for the upcoming budget, trustees, at the superintendent's
recommendation, voted to return funds from a tax certiorari reserve fund to the
general fund, and to apply excess dollars from the workers compensation reserve
fund to help increase the fund balance. Also to increase the fund balance,
purchasing for this year has been halted, with only emergency and state/aided
items to be approved. The reserve for encumbrances fund, a carryover item, was
applied to increase revenues, a one-time adjustment which will not be available
after next year.
Dr. Fields commented, "When we use one-time sources of revenue, we dig a hole
for the future in order to keep the current budget as level as possible."
Trustees were concerned about reductions in the high school's budget requests.
Principal James Dempsey had asked for additional staff in several academic
areas, but the only ones retained were added math staff, an additional English
teacher and a social studies teacher.
Frank DelSignore commented, "It wouldn't cost that much more to increase staff.
We need to put more back to keep kids involved. We don't want to give them
excuses not be involved. We don't want more study halls. We need to think about
what's been happening at other high schools."
Dr. Fields was directed to meet with Dr. Dempsey to develop a proposal to
reinstate some of the new staffing.
In regular board action trustees approved the resignation of high school math
teacher Anthony Smith, who is returning south.
The board will meet to approve the 2001-2002 budget at a special session Monday,
April 9 at 7 p.m. in the district office conference room. Trustees voted to move
April's regular meeting to Tuesday, the 24th, in conjunction with approval of
the BOCES budget. The May meeting will also be moved, to Monday, May 21, from
the day before the annual budget and trustee vote (Tuesday, May 15).
School Board Agenda - Special Meeting April 9, 2001
7:00 P.M. - District Office Conference Room
AGENDA
1. 7:00 P.M. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Board of Education
A. Budget discussion
4. Next Meetings:
A. Tuesday, April 24, 2001 - Special Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
B. Tuesday, May 1, 2001 -Budget Hearing - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
C. Wednesday, May 15, 2001 - Budget Vote - 10:00 a.m. - 9 p.m. - High School gym
D. Monday, May 21, 2001 - Special Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Middle School Little Theater
Absentee Ballots Now Available for May 15 School Budget/trustee Vote
By Lee Cohen
Grand Island residents, on Tuesday, May 15, will have the opportunity to cast their ballots for the school district budget and trustees. For those who qualify, absentee ballots are available. There are specific reasons for the use of absentee ballots. To be considered a resident must fit one of the following categories:
1. Duties, occupation or business outside the county
2. Vacation outside the county
3. Patient in hospital
4. Unable to appear at the polling place because of illness or physical disability
5.
A. Will be detained in jail for an offense other than a felony or awaiting trial or grand jury action
B. Will be confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony
6. Absence from the school district on election day by reason of accompanying or being with a spouse, child or parent who is an eligible district voter and is eligible for an absentee ballot due to one of the above or below listed reasons.
7. Confinement due to permanent illness or disability.
Follow the steps listed below to receive an absentee ballot.
1. REQUEST AN APPLICATION. Call 773-8801 or write the District Clerk, Mrs. Nancy A. Sanford, Grand Island Central School District, 1100 Ransom Road, Grand Island, NY 14072 for an application.
2. RETURN THE APPLICATION. Once you have completely filled out the application for an absentee ballot, you must return it to the district clerk's office, located in the district offices adjacent to the high school. It may be mailed or hand delivered, but must be received at least seven days before the election in order for the ballot to be mailed to the voter.
3. FILL OUT THE BALLOT AND TURN IT IN. Assuming the above instructions have been properly completed and you have qualified for an absentee ballot, you will receive the ballot in the mail and it will take the same basic form as that inside the voting machine. Follow the instructions on the ballot and either mail it or hand deliver it to the district clerk's office. However, it must be received by the district clerk's office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the vote (May 15, 2001).
School District Report Card Shows Good Results
By Lee Cohen
Elementary students are doing well on state-sponsored tests, according to a presentation given by curriculum director Dr. Karen Karmazin to the school board Monday night. The results are part of a report card issued yearly by the State Education Department for all school districts, and which contains an overview of academic performance plus a comprehensive information report (CIR) about the district.
Results given are for 4th grade ELA, math and science, 8th grade ELA and math in 2000, and Regents English and math for students in 1996 and 1997. State learning standards have been established for ELA and math tests, and results are reported via a Performance Index. For 2000-2001 the PI is set at 140 out of a possible 200, which means that each school must perform at or above 140 to satisfy state standards. Each year the PI will be raised five points. Results are separated into four levels, with schools receiving more credit for students at Levels 3 and 4 than at Level 2. No credit is given for students at Level 1. Schools improve their PI by increasing the number of students at levels 3 and 4. Special education students are now included with the general population on these tests.
The CIR reports three years of results in Regents exams, competency tests, and proficiency exams, plus information on attendance, suspension and dropout rates, demographics and student enrollment statistics.
ELA Results
Grand Island does well in the grade 4 English Language Arts (ELA) and math tests. District-wide ELA results show that the number of students at Level 1 decreased by a percentage point to 2 percent from 1999 to 2000, and those at level 2 declined by 15 percent. Level 3 rose to 62 percent (in comparison to 55 percent the year before, and Level 4 increased from 7 to 17 percent, all well above state averages. Grade 4 math results showed a drop from 4 to 2 percent at Level 1, a drop to 15 percent at Level 2 and an increase of 11 points to 66 percent at Level 3. Level 4, however, declined to 17 percent from 25 percent the year before, slightly below the state average of 19 percent. Level 3 however, compared very favorably with the rest of the state, which is at 46 percent. On the science test students performed well above the state average, with 87 percent above the state designated level, compared with 66 percent statewide.
Grade 8 ELA results surpass state averages for Level 3, with 54 percent at that benchmark vs. 35 percent statewide. At Level 4 Grand Island's percentage is the same as the state's: 10 percent, while Level 1, at 3 percent, is well below the state, at 13 percent. Level 2 scores are also well below the state's average, 33 percent vs. 42 percent. Math results show that only 11 percent are operating at Level 1, compared with 25 percent statewide. Students at Level 2 comprise 27 percent, down from 34 percent the year before. Level 3 is well above the state's total, 55 percent vs. 33 percent, but Level 4 declined from 10 to 6 percent, slightly below the state average of 7 percent.
Breaking elementary results down by school, Huth's ELA score was 179, up from the previous year and well above the state standard of 140. Kaegbein was at 176, up 21 points from the year before. Huth's math score was 185, up five points from the previous year, while Kaegebein was at 175, both well above the 140 standard. Most elementary special education students are housed at Kaegebein. Connor Middle's ELA score was 161, the same as the previous year, but still above the state's 140 benchmark. Math was the same for both years at 151.
Regents Results
Regents results in math and English for 1996 and 1997 are well above state averages. The number of students passing Regents English has risen over three years to 84 percent in 2000 from 61 percent in 1998. In math Course I the percentage passing was 101, but that includes 8th graders who take the exam. Course III math had 60 percent passing, up from 44 percent in 1998. Biology results were unusually poor, with only 64 percent passing as compared with 80 percent the year before. Karmazin commented that she did not have state results for 2000, so did not know whether that was a function of the test itself. In chemistry 50 percent passed, the same as the previous year. In Global History & Geography the passing rate dropped to 79 percent, compared with 88 percent the year before, but up from 63 percent in 1998. The U.S. History & Government result, with 77 percent passing, was the highest in three years.
District Profile
(Statistics are given for the 1999-2000 school year unless otherwise indicated.) Official enrollment for the year was 3,196; there were 222 teachers, 18 other professionals and 36 paraprofessionals. Eleven teachers were teaching out of their certification area on more than an incidental basis. The largest class, with 308, was in 9th grade, the smallest, 208, in kindergarten. There were 55 elementary and 30 secondary ungraded students with disabilities. The district had four English language learners, down from 16 two years before. The free lunch eligibility count was 192, or 6 percent of the population, and the reduced lunch eligibility was 4.9 percent of the population. Ethnic/racial statistics show that 95.7 percent of students are white (non-Hispanic); 2 percent (64 students) are black, as compared with 84 the previous year; 1.5 percent, or 49 students, are Asian, American Indian or Pacific Islander; and .8 percent, or 25, are Hispanic.
Fifteen students with disabilities were graduated in 2000, three with IEP diplomas and one with a Regents diploma.
In 1999 the dropout rate increased to 2.4, up from 1.3 percent the previous two years. The state average is 4.1 percent. Also in 1998-99 total expenditure per pupil was $9,062. Average class sizes ranged from 17 (English gr. 8) to 26 (science, gr. 10). The attendance rate in 1998-99 was 95.5 percent; there were 135 suspensions, down from 176 the year before; and 11 students entered an alternative high school. Of those suspensions 16 were at Connor Middle, one at Huth Rd. and the rest at the high school. Huth Rd. had the best attendance rate, 97.1 percent; with Kaegebein at 96.5; Connor Middle at 96.3; Sidway at 95.6 and the high school at 94.4. Additional data may be obtained by accessing the state's website: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts
Superintendent Describes Budget Process
as "Trying To Balance Needs With Means"
By Lee Cohen
Monday, March 26, 2001. . .
Trustees at Monday night's regular meeting voted to participate in the Erie County tax exemption program for seniors over 65 who own property. Those with incomes up to $19,500 will have 50 percent of their assessment exempt. The amount decreases in 5 percent increments, depending on income, with the final exemption of 5 percent for those with an income from $27,000 but less than $27,900.
In other board action approval was given for a trip by the boys track team April 27-28 to participate in the Penn Relay Carnival, led by Coach Sauer. No other information was given. Also approved was the date of Tuesday, May 1 for the 2001-2002 budget presentation, to be held at Connor Middle, and the date for the annual vote, Tuesday, May 15.
In personnel action trustees accepted the resignations of Geri Witkowski for retirement, of Elizabeth McDonnell and Deborah Keller as food service helpers, and Alma McTigue as baker. Lauren Stang, school psychologist, was granted a leave of absence.
Appointments: Jodie Swain, short-term special ed. substitute teacher; Tracey Bardak, substitute teacher; Catherine Markovitch, probationary senior clerk typist; Mike Shimmel, permanent micro-computer repair technician; Patti Frentzel and Marie Heberlein, permanent teacher aides; Kathleen Volk, permanent senior clerk steno (pending civil service approval); Marcia Little, permanent food service helper; Donna McGilveary, probationary food service helper.
Budget Presentation
Saying "We're trying to balance needs with means," Superintendent Paul Fields recommended $510,000 in reductions in the first round of adjustments for the proposed 2001-2002 budget. Most cuts were for requested supplies and equipment, with a $184,500 reduction in the area of regular school teaching. Some of the equipment and supplies in that area will be funded through the capital project, he explained. "We're holding the line trying to maintain current program."
Other reductions were in the area of utility costs. Fields commented that the district is counting on savings from the new energy efficiency program to kick in next year. A reduction of $50,000 was made in the refund of property tax budget line. It is expected that current tax reductions will mitigate requests for refunds. The district has been able to settle claims from the last two years in lump sums, Fields said.
Equipment for mainframe computer technology was reduced by $79,000 because the district will phase in purchases. Funds from a special e-rate discount program, which the district has been participating in, will help fund the first phase of the update. The cost of resurfacing the tennis courts, which was included in a reduction of $41,000 in interscholastic sports budget, was removed. "There may be an alternate way of handling the resurfacing problem," Fields said. In the co-curricular budget line a request for $10,000 was removed. "We're holding the line, and we hope to have our new Connor Middle after-school program in place next year," he explained.
Approximately $65,000 was removed from the state and teacher retirement line. The downturn in the stock market may affect this account. "Our figures in this area are based on preliminary projections from the state," Fields said.
The projected cuts have resulted in lowering the originally proposed budget of $37,063,000 to $36,554,000, a 6.93 percent increase from the 2000-2001 budget.
The board will hold special meetings for additional budget discussion on April 2 and 9 in the district office, and a regular business meeting on Monday, April 23 in the Connor Middle Little Theater, all at 7 p.m.
School district receives "Blue Ribbon" award
By Lee Cohen
Buffalo Niagara Enterprise announced that Expansion Management Magazine has named Grand Island as being in the top 33 percent of school districts in the country.
The survey evaluated 90 percent (2,334 districts) of the roughly 2,500 school districts nationwide that have a K-12 enrollment of at least 700 students and are located in a city/town with a population of at least 10,000. Sweet Home was the only other district in the area to receive a "Blue Ribbon" certificate. Expansion Management issued the "Education Quotient 2000" report in its October ratings issue. It is the 10th year the magazine has evaluated the nation's high schools.
More staff Needed to Meet State Mandates, Higher
Enrollment -
Uncertain revenue picture makes for "tough" budget
process
By Lee Cohen
Monday, March 19, 2001.
March 19.Trustees at a budget work session Monday
night heard principals Bruce Benson and Dr. James
Dempsey ask for additional staff at the middle and
high schools to meet unfunded state mandates and to
handle anticipated increased enrollment next year.
The state now requires that students who score at
levels 1 or 2 on new state tests receive instruction
in an academic intervention services program (AIS).
Benson is requesting AIS teachers in science and
social studies at Connor Middle, in addition to those
already on board in English and math. "We don't have
enough staff to meet those requirements." He also
would like to add a guidance counselor or a social
worker, saying that two guidance counselors are not
enough to handle "more and more students who are
coming to school with more and more baggage."
Trustee Frank DelSignore suggested that perhaps
retired teachers might be willing to work as AIS staff
before or after school. Community Education might be a
way to handle that, Superintendent Paul Fields noted,
inasmuch as that program currently is offering a
test-preparation course for eighth graders.
Dempsey requested 11 full-time faculty (including
three AIS) as well as part-time services of eight
additional staff. He acknowledged that the board
tended to add new teachers "grudgingly" because of
budget concerns, but with increased enrollment
expected, he needs additional staff in the core
subject areas. "I'd rather ask now than find we don't
have enough staff in August," he said. He seeks
part-time teachers for business, technology, home
economics, art, foreign language and English, and he
warned if there is not enough staff, he will not
be able to offer as many electives. Art, in
particular, has increased enrollment. A greater
emphasis on writing, with more papers to correct,
means that Dempsey would like to reduce the size of
English classes, so he is asking for two full-time and
one .9 English teacher, plus a reading teacher.
Director of athletics Jon Roth made an eloquent plea
for additional staff and programs. In keeping with
sports league plans for expanded offerings in modified
sports, he is asking for 10 coaches in that area. He
also is requesting regular coaches for girls varsity
and JV lacrosse, currently extramural. "That would
bring us in line with Title IX mandates for equality
between boys and girls sports," he said. For safety's
sake he wants to add a coach for cross countr