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The School Board Reports
Posted on Monday, November 19 @ 15:10:13 EST by jfbailey
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld, City School District. (Edited) November 19, 2007: Landscaper Ron Eberlin spoke about the proposal to replace trees with fast-growing evergreens on the High School property adjacent to the Havilands Lane neighborhood. He said the weather has been warm enough to extend the planting season well into December. Mr. Connors and Mr. Seiler had met with the neighbors in the area last Saturday to review the plan and Mr. Connors complimented the Board for its efforts to meet everyone’s concerns.
The Board adopted a resolution on environmental findings, working with the City and complet-
ing the full disclosure form. The Board becomes the lead agency and makes a negative declaration
for compliance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The district
will get quotes for planting and hopes to complete the entire process within the next few weeks.
POLICY ON SEX OFFENDER NOTIFICATION: The Board adopted a revised policy on this subject,
and accompanying rules will clarify the location of school bus stops in relation to homes of registered
sex offenders.(Editor: A copy of the policy was not distributed.)
ENROLLMENT: Presenting enrollment figures as of October 1st, Mr. Connors said they are very much on target, with no significant differences from projections. Total enrollment is 7,038, conpared with 7,000 last year. The High School figure has increased slightly, while the other school counts have decreased a bit.
Reporting of Disciplinary Incidents to state: Mr. Connors asked Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services Anne Lillis for reports on two matters. She said that after efforts to improve accuracy in reporting student disciplinary incidents, the State has responded that the district is now in compliance. Secondly, Dr. Lillis will be sending the Board a plan for 504 Accommodation (students with specific disabilities who are not classified for Special Education) and this is to be approved December 10th.
Full Day PreKindergarten Starts: Mr. Connors informed the Board that the full-day Prekindergarten class, funded by the State Contract for Excellence is expected to begin in December.
AUDIT: The Board accepted the Independent Auditors’ Report for the 2006-07 school year by Bennett
Kielson Storch DeSantis Division of O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins, LLP. Auditor Margaret
Modugno said the district is in excellent financial condition.
PERSONNEL: Two teachers were awarded tenure by the Board: Akiva Friedman, Science
Teacher at the High School, and Jenifer Berenberg, English & ESOL Teacher at the Community
School. Presenting Mr. Friedman, Science Coordinator Margaret Doty described him as enthu-
siastic, innovative, engaging, and a leader among teachers. Gary Peluso, Director of Supplemental
Programs, called Ms. Berenberg a tireless worker with high expectations, who has a keen insight into
reaching students.
The Board appointed three Probationary teachers: Miriam Pena as Chairperson of the Com-
mittee on Special Education at the High School; Tatyana Alekhanova, ESOL Teacher at Ridgeway
School; and Marie Negri, ESOL Teacher at the Highlands Middle School.
DONATIONS: The Board and Mr. Connors thanked the following donors for their generosity: Deirdre
Washington for a scanner for Eastview Middle School, PRO Sports Therapy of Westchester for
physical therapy machines for the High School Athletic Department, Mrs. Deborah Van Glahn for a
trumpet for the Music program, Brunschwig & Fils for fabric for Art classes at Post Road School, and
Helene Alalouf for a drafting table and easel for the High School.
BOARD ACTIVITY: Board President Donna McLaughlin was presented with a Developmental
Achievement Citation from the New York State School Boards Association, for “participation in
activities to improve governance knowledge and skills.”
Board Vice President Terry McGuire was a facilitator at the recent Youth Business Skills Olympics
sponsored by the African American Men of Westchester Inc. and Purchase College. The White Plains
team took first place in the event, which had a theme of Internet Ethics.
Board members Sheryl Brady and Charlie Norris participated in the New York State School
Boards Association Annual Convention in New York City last week. Both attended the full-day
School Law Seminar and Mrs. Brady also sat in on the business portion of the convention. They agreed
that it was a very worthwhile, enlightening experience.
Other members reported on the various Board Committees which have met in the last few weeks --
Finance, Curriculum and Safety.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL: Shelley Wepner, Dean and Professor at Manhattan-
ville College described this partnership with George Washington School. The goals are for teachers in
the classroom to be current with theory, while the college faculty understands the realities of the
classroom. It also involves a year-long internship and a student teaching program. As a result, our
students benefit from this alliance.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Cary Kyzivat, President of the Concerned Citizens for Open Space, questioned
the timing of the tree planting and asked for a commitment that it will occur during the current planting
season.
Parent Marjorie Madfis expressed concern about priorities for staff appointments in relation to
teacher leaves, noting the number of changes in her child’s classroom at Post Road School.
UPCOMING MEETINGS: November 29: Special Meeting, Education House, 7:30 P.M.
December 10: Regular Meeting, High School, B-1 Room, 7:30 P.M.
Recognition of Scholar-Athletes
An invitation was extended for everyone to celebrate the new Highlands Field at the Thanks-
giving Day Football Game on November 22nd at 10 A.M.
MOMENT OF SILENCE: Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors asked for a moment of
silence in memory of Robert Jackson, a Science teacher in the district for 25 years before his
retirement in 1982.
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