Snow…
Difficult calls on whether, or when to close school, either for the day or partially, continue to plague the district. After students were sent home on a day when it didn’t snow recently, the district was caught off guard by the amount of snow that fell during school hours on Monday, February 3.
On that particular day, roads ended up being hazardous throughout the district and some buses had problems with mountainous areas.
Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Spiegel-McGill explained what happened and why the decision was made to close in the afternoon. “One of the first questions is always, ‘if we bring the students in, when will we be able to get students home?’” she said. “On Monday we were told by our main weather source that the snow was to be a dusting, up to two inches and end by 2 p.m.” McGill thought the snow would be over by dismissal. However by noon the forecast had changed and early dismissal was recommended since the worst of the snow was predicted between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. “We had to decide the safest window and decided sooner was better than later,” said McGill. Principals are required to stay at the school until it is confirmed all the students have made it home. Teachers can leave at the same time as students and nonteaching staff can leave one hour after the students. On this particular occasion, many employees stayed. McGill said, “I would like to thank the teachers who chose to stay and be with our students, along with our ONTEA staff and our principals.” She also thanked Transportation Director Nicole Sommer and the bus drivers, “for their help and support during a challenging afternoon.” McGill asked parents not to call transportation because there is no secretary, but instead to call the building their child attends. “However I understand that the phones were very busy that day.” McGill explained that Sommer was out transporting children home in a four-wheel drive vehicle when buses were not able to handle steep slippery roads. She said after speaking with staff that this particular situation is rare but added better communication with parents during a time when children might be late coming home is needed in the future.
ESL
Director of Pupil Personnel Cindy Bishop and Robin Osswald, who present English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and related services in the district, told the board that currently there are 18 students needing ESL services at Phoenicia Primary School, eight in Bennett and three at the Middle/High School. Bishop projects that there could be 20 students at Phoenicia needing ESL services, eight at Bennett, and four in the Onteora Middle/High School for the 2014/2015 school year. Phoenicia school has one full time ESL teacher, with Bennett and the Middle/High School utilizing part time help through BOCES. Students who are not proficient in English are still required to take the State exams administered in English.
Spencer not running
Trustee Dan Spencer; up for re-election this spring announced that he would not be petitioning for another term. “My hope is by letting people know now that there is going to be a vacancy on the board that someone from the public has time to think about this and look forward enough [to] serve the community and this district.” Spencer joined the board following a resignation, serving a total of five years. “It’s been a great pleasure working with everybody on the board because we’ve done a whole lot of good things.” He also thanked school officials for their support.
