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Putnam Valley School Board Superintendent Sets Goals Of Communication And Trust
by Edward Paul Greiff
"First class communication and trust will be a goal of mine this year," said school Superintendent Maryann Doyle as she addressed the School Board, administrative staff, and an audience with a large contingency of scout leaders.
Just as she did at the Putnam Valley Town Board meeting the night before, Superintendent Doyle informed the School Board how heavily the school facilities are utilized after school hours and on weekends by various groups and organizations.
In an effort to bring requests for use of school facilities under control and to coordinate the overwhelming number of activities, Ms. Doyle asked the Board to review existing polices and procedures, and introduce new ones that will better serve the community.
Due to the World Trade Center tragedy last week, however, the meeting to review these policies was delayed. This caused some organizations such as the Scouts to miss their deadlines and others to question what was happening.
Ms. Doyle explained her intent had been to organize the many requests her office is receiving. The School Board supported Superintendent Doyle’s wish to have all requests for use of school facilities pass through her office before any brochures or flyers were handed out to the children attending Putnam Valley’s schools.
But as a result of the "brouhaha," as Ms. Doyle remarked, it became apparent how miscommunications can occur and get blown out of proportion, causing mistrust. Superintendent Doyle managed to salvage what could have been a potentially difficult situation for all involved.
The crowd that packed the room seemed satisfied with the new policy. As the school board meeting progressed, the Scouts filled out the necessary request for use of the school facilities and handed it to Ms. Doyle. With everyone smiling, she told the Scouts they would have her approval in the morning, and that her office would review and reply to all forms received within twenty-four hours.
Besides improved communication, Superintendent Doyle’s keynote for the first School Board meeting of the new school year centered around two recurring themes. The first, she stated, is "What we’re proud of about our roles in Putnam Valley, and what Putnam Valley has to offer." The second theme focused on the great amount of work that needs to be done by the various administrative staff.
Marge Holderman, Assistant Superintendent, spoke about both the faculty and students supporting their Mission Statement and objectives for the upcoming year.
Ellen Edelman said the Kindergarten and grades 1 through 4 have a student enrollment of 676 students this year, and reported that her "Coffee Meetings" with parents on alternating mornings and evenings have been very successful. She said that the meetings gave her and the parents a chance to talk about their children and school programs in a warm friendly atmosphere.
Principal Ed Hallisey said the middle school, consisting of grades 5 through 7, has 478 students.
Robin Schlander said that the High School now consists of grades 8 through 10, with an enrollment of 151 eighth graders, 147 ninth graders, and 133 tenth graders. She mentioned that the football team did not hold practice in view of Tuesday’s disaster. Instead, they volunteered their time to help load the disaster relief trucks.
Linda Schluder, Director of Special Education, spoke of putting over 200 documents explaining what is happening in the field of Special Education Parent Teachers Organizations on the Putnamvalleyschools.org Web site for parents to read. They will also be increasing the number of psychologist-generated children’s diagnostic programs.
Nick Belantonio, Director of Operations, spoke about the installation of security cameras on fifteen buses. This came about because of the generous donation of $5,000 by Rollin Williams to install the cameras. There will be only two students per seat and all drivers will be wearing uniforms. During the disaster on September 11th, all the bus drivers and maintenance men responded for any emergency that they may have been needed for.
Bill Conroy, Athletic Director, said that between 75 and 150 people use the track for walking and running every night. On Sundays, field hockey coach Sharon Sorrenson coaches the girls and staff from 6:00 A.M. to dusk.
The School Board passed nine resolutions appointing nine individuals to various teacher support functions.
Superintendent Doyle concluded by saying there are 1,585 students in Putnam Valley and 250 still at Walter Panas High School. She said that the audience should be aware that the Board gets homework; the previous week she had sent each member a packet three inches thick. It is because they do their homework that these meetings run smoothly, said the Superintendent.
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