Common Core Learning Standards…
As part of the Federal Race to the Top initiative the district has embarked on changes that will align with learning standards at the State and Federal level. More emphasis will be put on English Language Arts and Math crossing over into other areas of learning. Schools can continue to use their own district-chosen curriculum under the guidelines of State Regents, but emphasis will be on an increased use of non-fiction reading in order to balance with fiction in English. Curriculum specialist Marki Clair-O’Rourke said instead of what is currently implemented where fiction takes up 80 percent of student reading, will instead share with non-fiction reading 50/50. Emphasis will also be put on analytical learning where students can develop opinions based on source material. Gone will be the days of chalk and talk style teaching. Teachers have been receiving training in changes within the new standards in addition to new ways of keeping data on each student’s learning strengths and weaknesses. The Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) a new evaluation system for students, teachers and principals is in legal limbo, but will still proceed until a settlement is reached between the state and teachers union. New York State United Teachers successfully fought the State on APPR regulations stating it overstepped its intent. The State has since appealed.
Transport boss resigns
The board accepted the resignation of Transportation Director Dave Moraca. No reason was given on his departure. Interim Transportation Director is Betty Huges at $400 a day. ++
School tax extension approved
The deadline for all Onteora residents to pay their first installment of school taxes has been extended from Friday, September 30 to Friday, October 21 with no interest or penalty. The Governor’s Executive Order to provide for a 21-day extension for the payment of school tax bills during which no interest or penalties will accrue was included in Executive Order No. 23, which the Governor signed on Monday, September 19. Penalties will be accrued from Saturday, October 22-Monday, October 31 at 2 percent and Tuesday, November 1-Thursday, November 3rd at 3 percent. Anything postmarked Friday, November 4 or after will be returned to the sender.++
Tony Fletcher wants to know where the consultant got his health insurance info. from? Maybe he has been studying past trends. This district has studied these trends for years, but you have bullied your personal agendas through for years now. And ignored any of the studies brought forward that would save the district money over the long term.
The board chose to give the OTA the farm in the last contract, now they are stuck with it. They all sat at the table with the Union, and then said at later meetings they didn’t realize the health insurance was increasing so much.
They are driving a “Great” district into the ground.
Time to stop funding schools mostly by property taxes. It’s not a fair system, anyway, as some districts are much richer than others, and some abound in childless, retired people who cannot afford to pay higher taxes into a system they don’t use.