Attendance: Shane Barton, Marion Burghart, Kevin Calacone, Tom Clayton, Lisa Devaren, Pam Guest, Jen McClure, Paula Monarch-Palmieri, Cassi Olin, Lindsay Peterson, John Sorady, Nancy Stewart, Carrie Styles, Stephanie Weinlein
1. Standing item: High School Building Renovation Project
a. Still waiting for NYSED approval, even with expedited process.
b. We should have answers to teacher moves and other questions after Thanksgiving Break.
c. Changes at Mosaic- Gene and Joanne have left the firm.
Outcome: Continue to work with Shawn Gathen and the Building Project Committee throughout this process.
2. New topic: Grades of Incomplete
a. We had a high number of Incompletes this quarter (23).
b. Language in the handbook is confusing: teachers have discretion to grant the INC, but “with excused absences.” Do you need to satisfy both conditions?
Outcome: Leave the INC decision to teacher discretion and remove “with excused absences” from future printings of the handbook.
3. Follow up topic: New master schedule for 2019-2020
a. Our school counselors worked on some new scheduling arrangements during the November 16th PD Day sessions – 4 or 5 new options exist.
b. We still need to account for 80 students per lunch period limit during the 2019-2020 school year due to construction.
c. School counselors will meet with administrators to go over scheduling options more thoroughly and look at which option/options would be the best.
Outcome: Continue this conversation during the school year until a suitable
proposal is adopted.
4. Follow up topic: Alma Mater/School Climate
a. Pursuing a “No Place for Hate” designation for the High School.
Schoharie Elementary has already received their designation.
b. Invited to the STOP Leadership Conference at Siena College January 2019 – priority entry given to No Place for Hate Schools.
c. Alma mater concerns will be forwarded onto the district’s cultural awareness committee.
d. Hastings-on-Hudson has instituted a mandatory junior high diversity curriculum. Our district will be visiting the school to see the curriculum in January 2019.
e. All of these items relate to our building goal of improved school climate.
f. Need student involvement with No Place for Hate designation, not just seniors or as a senior project.
Outcome: Seek out students, staff, and family members to serve on the No Place for Hate committee. Continue to share concerns with the district’s cultural awareness committee.
5. Other topics
a. Student tests/exams – do all teachers review their tests and test results with students in class? It depends on the teacher.
Outcome: No other new topics at this time.
Next meeting: Monday December 17, 2018 (3 – 4:30 p.m. in the High
School Library).