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PV Board of Education Grapples With Test Scores, Parking And Middle School Space Issues
by James Shearwood
At its regular meeting last Thursday, July 18, the Putnam Valley Board of Education heard reports on test scores, approved a parking policy for the High School and filled several open positions.
At the outset, Superintendent Maryann Doyle announced that Edward Hallisey, Principal of the Middle School, was forming a committee of parents to advise the Board on space issues that will occur at the school a year from this fall. At that time, the High School will house 9th through 12th grades and the 8th grade, currently at the High School, must return to the Middle School, increasing the population there by 30 percent.
Although the architectural firm of Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson of Mt. Kisco has determined it would be possible to reconfigure the Library/Media Center in the school to create additional classrooms, Ms. Doyle said all options will be presented to the board before making a decision, including double sessions and modular classrooms in the parking lot.
Hallisey said the committee’s job, in addition to meeting with the architects, would be to say how the school looks now, how it could look in the future and what features are important to maintain as is.
Both Doyle and Hallisey pointed out to the board that moving the 8th grade temporarily to the High School has enabled program changes they would like to continue.
Hallisey thinks the reason there were no referrals for discipline this past school year is because the students now have sufficient space to work.
Board Member James Greenwood said, whatever plan is approved, it is important to note, "We are not looking for a swimming pool or an executive sauna, but classroom space."
The Board was also presented with a Parking Policy for the High School, which they approved. A key feature of this policy is that parking privileges will be extended only to students who are seniors. Since a few students have started to drive to school, and no students will be seniors until a year from this fall, the Board was clear that a letter would have to be sent to parents and students informing them of the policy.
On the sensitive subject of tests, Superintendent Doyle reported to the Board that the district was "not pleased" with its showing on the 4th and 8th grade tests of English Language Arts. On the other hand, the results of 5th grade Social Studies, High School Global Studies and Foreign Languages were "outstanding," she said.
Because of the drop in scores, and the District’s interest in improving English Language Arts, Assistant Superintendent Majorie Holderman said they first sought verification of the data. Independent scorers, however, found "no significant changes."
"These are good tests," said Ms. Holderman, "But we are not performing at what we expect."
Holderman added, it was unclear why there was such a gap between the English test and the Social Studies test since many of the same skills that are being tested.
Board Member Greenwood thought it might be possible that the curriculum development work that the Social Studies teachers did this past year may have contributed to the higher scores.
Doyle said the District is determined to improve English Language Arts and will report on further initiatives at the August meeting.
As part of its regular agenda, the Board hired Michelle Diaz to teach Biology and Earth Science at the High School and Concetta Gallello and Julie Valente to teach in the area of Special Education at the Middle School.
Cristoforo Shiels was hired as a Computer Lab Aide at the High School and Kathleen Marsico was hired as a Classroom Aide at the Elementary School. Ms. Marsico has been working for the district previously.
Brian Gibbons, of Putnam Valley, who has worked this past year as a substitute custodian/groundskeeper, was appointed to a regular position.
Superintendent Doyle pointed out that this was possible by the agreement with the Town of Putnam Valley for the sharing of school facilities. The Town will contribute $35,000 to the School District for maintenance expenses.
The next meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, August 22 at 7:30 in the High School Cafeteria.
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