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Putnam Valley High School's Bonfire Reinstated after Protest at Board Meeting
Middle or elementary school students must have parental supervision at event
by Margaret Sternberg
As the September 20, 2007 meeting of the Putnam Valley Board of Education was drawing toward the public contribution period about 100 parents and students quietly made their way into the cafeteria. They were there to voice a collective protest over the banning of the now six-yearold tradition of the bonfire that is one of the high points of School Spirit Week. The holding of pep rally events indoors rather than outdoors also was the focus of some anger and concern.
According to several students, including Senior Class President Colleen Calabro and Lindsey Doino (both Student Representatives to the Student Government), Student Government Advisor William Scampoli had informed them that the bonfire had been cancelled and that the other activities of the evening had been moved indoors. Calabro said they were "told the pep rally could no longer be outside" and that their subsequent vote to hold activities indoors had been a concession.
Students spoke of their anticipation of the events, the sense of community and family that is engendered by not just high school students' participation, but parents bringing the whole family to watch, and the disappointment and bewilderment they were feeling in being excluded from any input in the decision to cancel the event. One student noted that the gym, which was where the indoor activities were slated to be held, was far too small to hold everyone who had attended the event in the past. Noting that the gym would only accommodate about one third of the people who come for the event, he said, "You're cutting off the community, and it's a community event…We [the students] never wanted this"
Parents appeared to be equally disappointed, with some close to outrage at what was seen as a unilateral decision. John Landi appeared to speak for many, garnering applause, when he said, "Let them be kids; let them have the experiences we did."
Both groups noted there had been no safety issues connected with the bonfire previously and did not understand the rationale for the decision, noting that an incident last year, which appeared to be the cause for the changes, had actually occurred in the gym.
Interim HS Principal Richard Herlihy responded that he had consulted Scampoli, the school resource officer and others and had learned that School Spirit Week was not a "community event; it was a high school event." He said that a number of middle school children had been dropped off at the event unsupervised, which had resulted in disruption. Herlihy added that both personally and professionally, he did not think having a fire on a school campus was appropriate.
Several people responded that the district was acting defensively against a potential problem, rather than reacting to something that had actually happened, suggesting that if the district felt that way, sports should also be cancelled.
Superintendent Dr. Marc Space seconded Herlihy's concern over possible fire-related issues, but also gave support to the student body in making decisions for themselves. An additional problem, he noted, was the school's liability in any supervision-related issues.
Larry Cobb, President of the Putnam Valley Fire Department, responded to the concerns about the fire, saying "It's never in doubt, they [the fire department] will be there, and they will be here," noting there are players on the football team who are in the fire department. He received thunderous applause to his statements. The issue of supervision also appeared to be addressed as Jeanine Rufo, Co-President of the PTSA, made it clear that parents would receive word that they must remain with children who were at the events and that drop-offs would not be acceptable.
At press time, the PCN&R had received word that the School Board had decided, on Monday, September 24, to allow the bonfire to proceed as originally planned on Thursday, September 27, 6-8pm.
In other news, Director of Operations Nick Bellantoni gave an update on various projects that had been completed during the summer and discussed the continuation of construction projects for the elementary school.
A new bus shelter that accommodates two buses was constructed at a cost of about $6,500. The lower, rear field of the elementary school was "reincarnated" through the clearing of brush and trees by PV Parks and Rec, which, in addition, paid for a new backstop and clay for the field. Also at the elementary school, a sinking walkway caused by a broken pipe was repaired, as was the pipe.
The garbage area between the High School and Middle School was cleaned up through the installation of a compactor, which is owned by the carting company. Costs associated with the installation were about $1,300.
In discussing the upcoming construction to the Elementary School, Bellantoni said that the plans are currently with the State Education Department for approval and the district expects to go out to bid in December. The construction will include installation of an elevator in the main building, the addition of four full-size classrooms, two small group instruction rooms, a conference room/office, faculty restroom, boys' and girls' restrooms, an electrical closet and a custodial closet.
All three school principals reported that opening day had gone well. Enrollment for the High School is 626 students, versus a projection of 610. The Elementary School has an enrollment of 657 students, which is lower than last year, but as projected. Middle School enrollment is at 597 students, up 16 from last year.
Interim High School Principal Richard Herlihy's contract was approved to be extended through June 30, 2008. The next meeting of the Putnam Valley Board of Education will be Thursday, October 4, at 7pm.
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