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Haldane's Search for New Principal Continues
More than 70 applications received
by Mike Turton
If a top-notch principal isn't hired for the Haldane middle school and high school it certainly won't be due to lack of interest. Superintendent of Education Mark Villanti told the Haldane Board of Education at its October 2, 2007 meeting that more than seventy applications have been received as the Board searches to find a replacement for Andy Irvin who resigned effective the end of September. Villanti reported that the first screening of applicants will take place this week and that final interviews could be complete by October 18. Interviews will be conducted by a committee consisting of board trustees, teachers, support staff, administration, students and parents. Villanti also indicated that because Haldane is a relatively small school district, the person hired will likely be an experienced vice-principal looking to move up to a principal's position. In the meantime, the Board approved the appointment of Dennis Geisler to fill the position on an interim basis until a new principal is hired. Geisler also recently served as the interim Business Administrator.
The Board accepted the donation of $10,000 from the Haldane School Foundation to fund the Foreign Language Enrichment Program for the 2007/ 08 school year. Funding will help support the Rosetta Stone, a self-taught, online language program through which as many as 100 students can choose from 14 different languages. The twelve-week program, offered in spring and fall, includes progress reports to parents. The Board also received a letter signed by ten parents, expressing concern over the removal of French from the 7th grade curriculum. The letter called the move "a disappointing step backward" and that it could represent "a movement toward Haldane becoming a one language school." Superintendent Villanti indicated that only five students had enrolled for French and that at least ten students are required in order to offer the program. Villanti said that the Board "Will have to be creative" in addressing the situation, including possibly working with the Garrison School District, which faces a similar challenge.
Debbie Contini and Meredith Nocton presented a detailed, thirty-page evaluation of Haldane's K-12 music program. Though very positive overall, their report indicated the program is operating at maximum capacity, making it impossible to add desirable new initiatives such as a general "Music of Our Lives" program and an African drum ensemble. Trustee Michael Junjulas was supportive, stating, "We haven't supported the music department as we should" and said that he would like to see a separate line item for the music program in the Board budget.
Discussions regarding upgrading the elementary school and middle school heating system as part of a larger capital project also continued at the meeting. After considering switching to either a hot water or geothermal system, the Board recently opted to stick with the exiting steam-based system, upgrading it as needed. The need to improve parking as part of the capital project was also debated, trustee Makaria Gallagher referring to it as a "huge issue." Wayne Robinson, Director of Facilities, stated that all 130 designated parking spots are allocated and that the additional forty spots are also full every day. Michael Junjulas countered that he "was not sold on parking" as a priority need, indicating that parking is available on Route 9D and that there were many other issues to be addressed including long-needed improvements to locker rooms. President Dave Merandy indicated that it was a contradiction for the Board to be trying to "go green" wherever possible while at the same time seniors are being encouraged to drive to school. He also suggested that since the Board has now settled on upgrading the steam-based heating system that all costs and options for upgrading that system should be identified and that potential savings could help fund other capital projects. Trustees will tour the buildings and property prior to the next Board meeting in order to evaluate potential capital project needs first hand.
At the end of the meeting, President Dave Merandy clarified views he expressed at a recent Board meeting regarding athletics. At that meeting, parents of a Haldane student complained that their daughter was not selected for the Junior Varsity volleyball team because of what they felt was possible favoritism shown to players from a local club team not affiliated with the school. They also objected to middle school students being chosen ahead of their daughter, a high school student. Merandy recently received a letter from a parent taking him to task for his comments that he was "disturbed" by some aspects of high school athletics. "My concerns have nothing to do with the volleyball team, but rather where we're going with sports. There is pressure on kids at earlier and earlier ages" he said. Merandy cited a recent Time Magazine article which reported that 8th grade students are now being recruited by colleges for athletic scholarships and a recent incident also reported in the media in which a Pop Warner football coach was knocked unconscious by an irate parent. "Where are we going with sports?" Merandy asked. "It's part of my responsibility to look into this" he concluded. Superintendent Villanti agreed. "In high school sports, academics have to come first. We will ask our families. Our families will help us keep that perspective" Villanti said.
The Haldane Board of Education's next meeting will be a Workshop on Wednesday October 17 at 7pm.
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