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Public Hearing on Haldane Capital Project Scheduled for January 29
Strategic plan will set long term goals
by Mike Turton
The Haldane School District held its monthly workshop on Wednesday, January 15, 2008 and addressed a number of ongoing issues.
The District is rethinking its long-term goals as progress continues towards drafting a new Strategic Plan. Haldane Superintendent Mark Villanti indicated that trustees Makaria Gallagher and Bruce Campbell will serve on a Strategic Plan Committee that will also include a broad cross section of the Haldane community. Villanti urged residents to participate in the planning initiative that will establish the district's goals for the next five years. Trustee Evan Schwartz spoke strongly in favor of the planning process. Schwartz observed that the public is very vocal when budgets come up - and that the strategic plan provides goals as a measure of what has been accomplished. "Either you hit the mark or you don't" Schwartz stated. "Education is going more and more to measurable goals" he concluded.
A timeline has been approved that will lead to a spring referendum on a major capital project at Haldane. The project will undertake a variety of initiatives, mainly in the elementary and middle school. Proposed works range from roof repairs, heating system upgrades, improved ventilation and floor renovation to asbestos removal, electrical and plumbing upgrades, locker replacement and improved parking. Works fall into four categories: meeting provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); health and safety; energy and water conservation and renovation of aging facilities. The first public hearing to outline plans in detail will be held on Friday, February 29 at 7pm in the music room.
The first draft of a "rollover budget" for 2008/09 was presented to trustees. While the report indicated that spending is less than budgeted at this point, Superintendent Villanti urged caution. "It's still very early in the game. Salaries, benefits and debt service are easy to project. Estimating utilities is much more difficult. We're not even half way through the school year," Villanti stated. Trustee Michael Junjulas was impressed with the manner in which the budget was presented. "In all my years on the board this is the best I've ever seen" he said.
On a number of occasions over the years, Cold Spring resident Joe Barbaro has asked trustees of the Haldane School District if they would consider merging with the Garrison School District. Trustees could be forgiven if they expected the same question when Barbaro addressed the Board at last week's meeting - but he had a new twist in mind. Barbaro asked trustees if they would consider a merger with the Putnam Valley School District. Haldane District president Dave Merandy indicated that a merger of the three districts had been discussed years ago. He also stated that Haldane has been working closely with Garrison in recent years, sharing more services. Merandy also pointed out that an increased number of Garrison students are now attending Haldane High School. Trustee Gallagher commented that a feasibility study had been completed in the past and wondered if it wasn't time to take a second look at the issue. Superintendent Mark Villanti expressed doubt as to Putnam Valley's interest in a merger at this time since that district has recently built a new high school and refurbished many of its playing fields and buildings.
Several appointments were approved. Mathew Garcia was named varsity lacrosse coach with Tom Locascio being named assistant coach. Bella Tschinkel and Jessie Davis were approved as a per diem substitute teachers and Grisel Cordero was endorsed as a teacher's aide. Chemistry teacher Michele Valenti was appointed as a tutor for 2007/08 and teaching assistant Christine Donovan was named proctor for the Rosetta Stone program.
Diane Stropoli was appointed District Clerk, replacing Azita Miller who resigned effective February 29, 2008.
Elementary principal Maggie Davis updated the Board on items of interest. Kindergarten orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 6 at 7pm in the music room. Registration is scheduled for February 11 and 12 from 1 to 4pm in the elementary library. Thirty-two names have been submitted for next year's Kindergarten class. Davis also reported that the new playground equipment has been delivered and will be installed this spring. She also indicated that scoring for English Language Arts will take place on February 8 during Superintendents Conference Day.
Middle School Coordinator Julia Sniffen reported that the DEC had visited sixth grade students for a second time recently. She also said that Kathleen Gallagher, Student Assistance Counselor through Putnam Family and Community Services, has begun her duties and will be visiting social studies classes. The middle school will observe Represent Respect Week, formerly known as No More Bullying, from January 22 through 25.
High School principal Brian Alm reported that twenty-one students were recently honored for meeting National Honor Society standards.
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