the class size question, in time for a Board decision before the conclusion of the current facilities needs study.

Possible Facilities Needs
Linking the current enrollment report to the simultaneous study of longer term facilities needs, the administration and the Board made reference to the hope for public attendance at key sessions to be held on:

• October 22
  
• November 18
  
• December 18
  
• January 13

Part of the Board's hope for public input is to be satisfied by the appointment of a Committee on Classroom and Core Facilities. Volunteers or nominees will be considered through October 14. Names should go to Mr. Chambers or any Board member.

The superintendent also noted the fact that this year's planning for classroom and core facilities needs will not come to fruition in new brick and mortar until September 2006, due to long periods (even after a Bond vote) required for design detail, State Education Department review, and actual construction. During the interim years, the schools will be challenged to use space well, through creative scheduling or temporary provisions like portable classrooms.

Summary and Next Steps
Reflecting on the enrollment report, Board members gave voice to the importance of cooperation with the Town of North Castle on issues like development and the recent Open Space Committee report. They also

asked to see details on private school enrollment of Byram Hills resident students, which Mr. Chambers reported as shrinking, both as an absolute number, and as a percentage of the district's population. Other steps ahead include the series of meetings noted above; the October 22 meeting will feature preliminary sketches by the architects in response to the needs identified thus far.

BUSINESS AGENDA
Charge to the Curriculum
Committee
The Board considered at some length the district's proposed Charge to the Curriculum Committee, which provides for combining the work of Curriculum Committee members with the Site-Based Teams from each school building. The goal of the committee is to focus on Character Education as reflected in the Board's own goal, with points of focus on sportsmanship; anti-bullying and pro-social skills K-8; and promoting and recognizing community service and kindness. The Charge was adopted with an additional stipulation that the committee apprise the Board of any new initiatives. A copy of the Charge is available from
Dr. Taylor's office.

Other Business
Action items include teacher and coaching appointments, as shown on the following page, and the Board's approval of a State Environmental Quality Review finding on the portable classroom sites planned for 2004-05.

Staff Reports included the superintendent's accolades for a very successful Homecoming Weekend, the deputy superintendent's report on growth in the music program

(and its implications for facilities needs), and Assistant Superintendent Greg Carlson's report that the two new portable classrooms at Coman Hill were completed and occupied by students and teachers.

Board reports affirmed positions on the New York State School Board's resolutions, with recognition of the similarity between the Board's own goal to influence State and Federal policy, and the NYSSBA resolutions.

Board liaisons to the Byram Hills Education Foundation mentioned the rescheduling of the Foundation's "Day of Tennis" to October 18.

Finally, the Board scheduled a brief executive and public session for 7:30 p.m. on October 14, with the intent of naming members to the
Committee on Classroom and Core Facilities.

The meeting concluded with the usual executive session on legal and personnel matters.