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Haldane Reorganizes for New School Year
Mark Villanti takes over reigns as Superintendent
by Mike Turton
While Haldane students still savor the joyous sound of the final school bell, school board trustees and administrators are already getting their house in order for the next time that bell rings early in September to mark the beginning of the 2007/08 school year. The Haldane School Board met on July 10, 2007 to reorganize on a number of fronts.
Dave Merandy was re-elected unopposed as President of the Board. Trustee Bruce Campbell was elected as Vice President in a run-off with newly elected Trustee Michael Junjulas. Campbell replaces Joe Curto who did not seek re-election to the Board. Other 2007/08 Trustees are Evan Schwartz and Makaria Gallagher. Ms. Gallagher participated in part of the meeting via telephone but was not permitted to vote in the election as a matter of procedure.
The meeting was the first for Mark Villanti, who replaced John Di Natale as Superintendent of Education. Villanti indicated that one his first challenges will be "getting everyone to work together - with all our oars in the water at the same time." He plans to use part of the summer to get to know the community and local leaders as part of that process. Villanti also sees rethinking the Board's approach to finances as a major objective. "We need to think beyond 'budget to budget' and begin to think in terms of long-term financial health," something he indicated is especially challenging in light of tough state budgets in recent years. His views on the educational issues sounded a similar chord. "We have to get to the point where we think beyond just passing exams. Every student must be able to find their niche - whether it's in computers or art." He indicated that adding to "the richness of the curriculum" is a key in achieving that goal.
As part of the consent agenda the Board approved more than thirty routine items that must be agreed upon annually - ranging from the appointment of internal positions such as clerk and tax collector to approval of the board's committees, banks, tax shelter annuity companies and the per diem pay rate for substitute teachers.
Beth Kennedy, Bob Mack and Michele Valenti were appointed as teachers of the HEART Program while Carolyn McLaughlin and Jacqueline Orsino were appointed as tutors.
Dennis Geisler was appointed Interim School Business Administrator, a move necessitated by Meryl Rubinstein's recent resignation. Superintendent Villanti indicated that he hopes be in a position to recommend a new full-time administrator to the Board by September. The Board also accepted the resignation of Geraldine Kurdziel as tax collector and claims auditor. Airinhos Serradas and Terese Olsen were appointed to the audit committee.
Patricia Compton was appointed teacher of the deaf. Jodi Champlin and Cesarina McGovern were appointed as full-time teacher aides with Tina LaBelle and Mary Ann Robinson appointed to part-time teacher aide positions.
The Board authorized spending up to $18,200 to repair a water leak in the high school. The leak is believed to have been caused during construction when grade changes were made without appropriate adjustments to waterproofing levels. The Board will seek reimbursement once the cause is determined.
Innovation grants totaling $13,978 were accepted from the Haldane School Foundation. The Board also approved a side letter of agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association and passed an annual resolution authorizing the continuation of existing board policies and bylaws.
Joel Stanford was appointed as varsity volleyball coach. The Haldane School Board will next meet August 14 at 7pm.
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