Christopher Gent of the Palombo Group and Assistant Superintendent Michael Goldbeck provided the latest information to the Board of Education on the progress of the Seymour Smith masonry project.  Since May, workers have removed loose masonry and cast stone, repointed and replaced brick, completely revamped the storm drainage system and catch basins in the rear of the building, replaced sidewalks, installed and built new cast stone, and located the original drainage catch basins in the front of the building.  These non-functional catch basins will also be replaced. Safety gates and signage continue to surround the work site after hours. The work will continue in August until the job is completed, and if finishing touches are taking place while students are in session, all necessary precautions will be in place to protect the safety and health of students, including the use of second shift work periods. As added bonuses, we are planning to restore the original outdoor light fixtures with modern, energy saving illumination and hope to restore the clock to full function. The project continues to be on time and under budget.  The construction committee, including architects, contractors and construction management, meets weekly with administration to review any outstanding issues.

Assistant Superintendent Catherine Parsons and High School Principal Tara Horst reviewed the latest high school completion data on the ninth-grade cohort of 2005, meaning those students enrolled in Pine Plains in ninth grade in September 2005, 90 of whom remained in the district to graduate with a Regents or IEP diploma in June 2009.  Post high school data for the cohort were presented to protect student confidentiality, showing fifth and sixth year graduates, GED completers, both at Dutchess BOCES and Dutchess Community College, students who dropped out, and those who moved from the district during their high school years.  All told, out of 120 in the original cohort, 85% (or 103) either received a Regents diploma, a GED from a Dutchess BOCES program or a GED from Dutchess Community College.  When the students who received IEP diplomas are added, 90% (108) of the cohort received a high school diploma or its equivalent. 

The administrators also reviewed the academic and social/emotional supports that the district provides to high school students to maximize their chances of success. The group discussed the district’s standard of 65 as a passing grade, its decision to award only a Regents diploma to regular education students and its requirement that students complete a summer school or full class program to make up high school credits.  We also reviewed the scheduling and course selection limitations that come with a 400-student high school where to offer multiple sections of courses or a greater variety of courses on-site poses financial and logistical challenges.  As this school year progresses, we are also closely following the development of the State Education Department’s new “college-ready” standards for students based on use of student skills data, national subject matter standards and “21^st Century learning skills.” Improving student achievement in this new environment will again require flexibility, a culture of lifelong learning and openness to new ideas, and adaptation to new expectations.  I am confident that our school family will be up to the challenge.  A copy of the presentation can be found on this link.

Turning to our financial challenges, Mr. Goldbeck reviewed the status of district fund balance and various reserves in preparation for the setting of the tax levy for 2010-11.  Last year’s threats of mid-year state aid cuts, the possibility of a property tax cap, the end of most federal stimulus funding and the prospect of further state aid reductions, even after the passage of a late state budget, compel the district to save to maintain current programs and fund the requirements of new state academic mandates and rising retirement and benefit costs. A copy of the presentation can be found on this link.  If you have questions about this information, please call us at the District Office.

The board voted to adopt the procedures permitted by Dutchess County local law to permit Dutchess County district residents to pay school taxes in installments, with interest, under rules developed by Dutchess County.  The new options will be explained on the school tax bills of Dutchess County residents.  The board was unable to offer this option to Columbia County residents because Columbia County has not passed a local law permitting a similar option.

The board adopted the goals for the year developed at the July 21 board work session.  These goals are aligned with the Vision 2012 district goals and can be found on the district website.  We look forward to implementing strategies to advance these important marks of school improvement over the coming year.

Summer interviews for open teacher and paraprofessional positions continue.  Our custodial and maintenance staffs are working with their usual diligence to clean all of our buildings for the opening of school.  Our summer school program enters its final two weeks.  Many elementary teachers have spent hours unpacking boxes and arranging their new classrooms in the new grade configurations for next year, to be ready for your children in September.

This week, elementary parents and guardians will receive the latest route and student pickup/drop off times for their new school year at Cold Spring Early Learning Center (grades K-2) and Seymour Smith Intermediate Learning Center (grades 3-5).  If you are a new family in the district and have not yet registered your children for school, please make every effort to do so as soon as possible, preferably by August 20, so that we may finalize your child’s transportation for the year.  Our administrators and transportation department will be monitoring the transportation changes during the first week of school to address any major issues that arise as quickly as possible.

Our next board of education meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle/High School Library.