Achievements Recognized At HFCS School Board Meeting

by Alex Brooks
The HFCS Board of Education meeting on Thursday, December 16, began with presentation of T-shirts and certificates for students who made the Principal’s list with a quarterly average of 95 or better, then to Drama Scholars, who had an average of 90 or above and participated in drama activities and then to Scholar Athletes, who achieved a 90 average and participated in a varsity sport. There were also awards for members of the four teams which were named “scholar teams.” A “scholar team” is one where the academic average over the whole team is 90 or better. The Football, Field Hockey and both Boys and Girls Soccer teams all achieved this distinction.
District Celebrates 50 Years
The newly formed Varsity Club at the school unveiled its new 2011 Calendar which celebrates 50 years of the school being at the present location. The Calendar has a lot of historical pictures of the school, and it is being sold for $15, to benefit the Varsity Club. The Calendar was put together by Varsity Club Advisor Lisa Ferrannini with assistance from Town Historian Phil Leonard, who was the Superintendent of Schools when the building was built. Leonard was asked to attend the presentation about the Calendar, after which Ferrannini announced that the Calendar is dedicated to Phil Leonard. He was given a standing ovation by the many parents and students in attendance for the awards ceremony. Current Superintendent Ken Facin shook his hand and said, “Phil is the model against which all superintendents here are measured.”
Budget Matters
Superintendent Ken Facin said he has been informed that the Hoosick Falls District will receive $489,000 from the Federal “Education Jobs” bill, which he called “The last of the stimulus money from the Federal government.” It will be available for use in the 2011-12 budget, which is now being put together. For perspective, Facin said this sum is equal to about 6% of the tax levy.
School Board President David Sutton said he is very concerned about the 2% property tax cap since many of the District’s expenses are growing at a rate greater than 2% per year. Facin replied that he expects such a cap will be enacted and the best thing we can do is embrace it. “We have to live within our means. We will deal with what we are dealt, and we will continue to strive for excellence.” He said that Business Manager Pam Hatfield looks at budgets several years in advance trying to anticipate what’s coming down the road.
Parental Involvement
There was a discussion of parental involvement triggered by one of the written reports given to the Board which said it is often hard to get parents to show up for meetings about their kids’ academic problems. Some Board members were amazed that this could be so. Facin said, “We still struggle to get parents involved, sometimes even when the kids are struggling academically.” He said parents should know that numerous studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between parental involvement in their kids’ education, and student performance in school.
College Information
John Helft said he has noticed that kids from HFCS with good grades are not applying to good colleges that they could get into. He wondered if it was because parents are not aware of how much financial aid is available and are scared away because they think they can’t afford it. Laurie Gormley said there was an excellent presentation on financial aid at College Night, but there was not a big turnout. Facin said college guidance counselors are available by appointment any time. He wondered if the District should find some kind of outreach tool to help get information to parents – perhaps something on the web site or something that could be distributed by DVD.
Negotiations
Superintendent Facin said, “Negotiations with the HFTA are ongoing. We don’t have an agreement yet, but we are working toward one, and we will get there.”
HFTA Gifts
The officers of the HFTA gave wrapped Christmas presents to each member of the Board and administration to thank them for their hard work and support of the teachers.