Wampus: Melanie Berkson, Mandy Esposito, Megan Garacia, Mona Goodman, Ellen Medd, Holly Rivlin, Danielle Spaeth. Coman Hill: Elizabeth Courtney, Mary Keenan, Mary-Ann Raso-Shkreli, Robin Zilli. Administrators: Michael Gulino, Lisa Doty.

Tenure in New York State is effective only at the end of a three-year probationary period, and in Byram Hills the tenure standard is high. The staff members listed above have proven themselves through a whole series of formal and informal observations, development of professional portfolios, and successful interaction with all of the parts of the Byram Hills school community.

Program Report: Character Education
Members of the district's Curriculum Committee and the Site-Based Team members from each school shared reporting responsibilities with Dr. Taylor, on the subject of their work toward the district's character education goal. Dr. Taylor outlined the year's approach to implementing character education at Byram Hills, reviewed "Eleven Principals of Character Education," and introduced representatives from each school. Administrators, staff, and parents from each of the four schools summarized their particular work on the character education goal. (They also submitted written reports, which are available from the district office.) Among the headlines for the four schools were Coman Hill's "Acts of Kindness," the Wampus "ABC" program aimed at reducing bullying; Crittenden's "Helping and Caring for Our Community Project;" and the high school's effort to develop "Chemical Codes of Conduct," first for students in athletic extracurricular activities, and then across the whole extracurricular program. Discussion was lively for each school, and concluded with the resolve to continue the character

education initiative into the new school year.

Other Business
Also on May 25, the Board reviewed, and accepted as a first reading, the district's overall policy on the Code of Conduct, and renewed policies on investment and purchasing.

Athletic Fields
Athletic Facilities Project bids, noted in the meeting of 5/18, were again touched on 5/25, when the Board accepted one more bid for site work on high school fields-an alternate surface for the running track. All other bids were rejected, pending a rebidding step in the fall of 2004. The reason for rejection of those other bids was found mostly in the bottom line, since the few bids received on the balance of the Athletic Facilities work (locker room renovation, Wellness Center expansion, concession stand building) were higher than anticipated.

Even while awaiting a rebid of the other items, the district will be able to go ahead with the planned renovation of all its fields, since the basic site-work bid was accepted on 5/18. Look for construction vehicles to begin pushing the dirt required to renew and reformat the playing fields, beginning by the end of June. The objective is to finish the new fields in time for the fall season.

Board Calendar
The Board's near-term, and 2004-05, schedules were discussed. The near- term promised a report on Athletics for June 1, and the architect's report on progress toward design detail for the high school portion of the classroom facilities project, for June 15. The work at the high school, Coman Hill, and Wampus is targeted for substantial completion by 9/06, with H.C. Crittenden completion a few months more down the road.

The meeting adjourned to an executive session.

June 1
Administrative Appointments
Two administrative positions were retitled, and two staff members named to those positions-Tim Kaltenecker as Director of Mathematics K-12 (formerly Mathematics Chair 6-12); and Marie Kish, Director of Technology K-12 (formerly Coordinator of Technology). Other appointments to the professional staff were also part of the agenda, as the district moves toward staffing for 2004-05. (See box on page 4.)

Annual Report on Athletics
Athletic Director Mike Gulino presented an overview on athletics to the Board, highlighting participation rates, retention of coaching staff, core values and character education, and future issues facing the Athletic Program. Mr. Gulino was pleased to announce that 71% of this year's high school students participated in at least one interscholastic sport; 75% of this year's 8th graders participated in at least one modified sport. He also offered good news on his profile of district coaching staff, indicating that more than half the overall staff (60% in fall and winter seasons) is drawn from the ranks of the Byram Hills faculty.

In core values and character education, Mr. Gulino highlighted initiatives like the Captain's Council, the sportsmanship initiative, and the Chemical Code of Conduct. He announced with pride the Hockey team's second annual Howard Kosel Sportsmanship Award.

Future issues identified by Mr. Gulino ran from the Athletic Facilities Plan implementation, through concerns like the availability of transportation and officials, to