by Alex Brooks
The Hoosick Falls School Board meeting this month was David Sutton’s last meeting as a member of the School Board. Many fine words were spoken about his long service on the School Board and the difference he has made. He served on the Board for 13 years and was Board President for seven years. Current School Board President Greg Laurin said with great conviction, “Nobody has done more for this school in the last dozen years.”
[private]School Superintendent Ken Facin said he doesn’t normally keep news clips about himself but he keeps one, a story about his selection as the new Superintendent in Hoosick Falls. In it then Board President Dave Sutton conceded that Facin didn’t have any experience as a Superintendent, but, said Sutton, “I believe in the guy.” Facin said he really appreciated that early vote of confidence.
Sutton said he liked the symmetry – he was served by the school for 13 years when he was a kid, and he served the school for thirteen years as an adult. He hoped he had given back to it as much as he took from it.
Laurin presented Sutton with a plaque thanking him for his service to the District, and then the meeting broke for a strawberry shortcake reception in honor of Sutton.
New Board Member
The meeting began with the swearing in of newly elected School Board Member Andy Beaty to a two year term on the School Board.
Safety Award
The Utica Insurance Group, which insures the District, declared the Hoosick Falls District to be one of the safest educational institutions in the State. In recognition, they gave the District their highest honor, a “Titanium” award. This comes with a plaque suitable for hanging on the wall and a $500 stipend to be used by the District towards safety initiatives. The Company’s message said, “Districts that go above and beyond are to be commended, and HFCS is one of those.”
School Board President Greg Laurin said, “When you work with your insurance company to improve safety, they give you awards, and rates stay low.”
Superintendent’s Report
Schools Superintendent Ken Facin said he has been talking with groups in the County who are working to promote tech start-ups about the potential for using the school campus and equipment during off hours for tech entrepreneurs who need cheap space to work in while they are getting their ventures started. With such people working in the building there might be opportunities for students to learn from them in various ways if they did classes or demonstrations in the area of their expertise or used HFCS students as interns. Facin cautioned that so far it is just talk, but he found the possibilities very exciting.
Implementing The Budget
The Board implemented personnel changes that were written into the 2014-15 budget. They eliminated a half time Special Ed position and a half time ELA 7-12 position. They abolished the full time Special Education position, held until now by Nancy Laurin, and established a new Special Ed/Elementary Education position.
They also established a full time ELA 7-12 position and a full time teacher aide position.
CEO Bid For Pre-K
The Board accepted a bid from The Commission for Economic Opportunity (CEO) to run one of the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Programs. Elementary School Principal Amy Netti said CEO has made the same bid three years in a row and she appreciates it holding the line on the cost of the program. Next year CEO will be running its program in the Central School’s building, in a room right next to the pre-k program run by the District. Netti said having the two programs right next to each other like that makes possible a number of program improvements and that she is excited about the new possibilities. Facin thanked Netti for her leadership on this.
Co-Teaching Expanded
Director of Special Education, Kristin Philpott, said the District is planning to expand its co-teaching model for bringing special education students into regular classes into grades 5-8.
They have been using this model in k-4 classes for six years, and it has been very successful.
To prepare for this they are doing curriculum work this summer, and Pam Roberge from Questar III will be coming to do training, as she did when they implemented this program in the lower grades.
HFTA
The HFTA report was given by Jennifer McDonald. She was very upbeat, saying the administration has been very supportive of the teachers. She said the HFTA and the administration worked well together this year on implementation of the Common Core and APPR. Facin agreed, and he said, “These teachers care. Their first priority is what’s good for the kids.” Facin said he meets with the HFTA every week. He said that in his seven years in the District, “We haven’t had a grievance, because we talk with the teachers every week and we work things out.”
Briefs
• The Board accepted the resignation of Boys Varsity Soccer Coach Mark Benson, although he had not yet begun the job. He was hired a few months ago to start with the upcoming season, but his work schedule changed since then so that he couldn’t take the job. Facin said he and Athletic Coordinator Tom Husser are “putting out feelers” for a new coach.
• Facin was asked how plans for the pellet boiler were progressing. He said the State Education Department is still reviewing the plans, but, “We are definitely on target to get it up and running for the upcoming heating season.”
• Facin said the Solar RFP is out and they have been talking with some of those interested in bidding on it.
• The Board raised the price of the elementary school lunch from $2.25 to $2.35 and secondary school lunch from $2.50 to $2.60 because it was required by the State and Federal governments as a condition of aid. The motion passed 6-1, with John Helft voting against it.
• The Board appointed Jane Conte, currently the Director of Nursing at the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls, as the School Nurse, effective July 1, 2014.[/private]