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on 12/18. From that point on through January and into early
February, the Board will have the difficult task of deciding
what elements of the plans are essential for submission to the
taxpayers in a referendum vote, projected for the spring of
2004.
DECEMBER 9 SPECIAL REPORT: Successful Management of
Continuing Enrollment Growth
Class Size Guidelines: Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jacquelyn
Taylor presented an extensive study of the class size guidelines
currently in place:
K-1 18-22
2 20-23
3-4 20-24
5 22-25
6-12 23-27
Dr. Taylor reported the connection between these guidelines
and the District's recent and expected enrollment growth,
reviewed class size guidelines from other Westchester districts,
and discussed feedback from teachers and parents about the
District's experience with the above guidelines over the last
three years. She reported a consensus that these guidelines
have served the District well, and was joined by the Superintendent
in recommending their continuation for the five-year period
from 2003 to 2008, with another review at the end of that
time.
Discussion focused on the implementation of the class size
guidelines at H.C. Crittenden Middle School. A "co-teaching"
approach is used at Crittenden to effectively lower class
sizes, and to provide more differentiation of instruction
to student needs.
Dr. Powderly and Assistant Principal Barbara Topiol were present
to discuss how the guidelines are implemented at Crittenden,
and their
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efforts drew applause at the end
of the report. Copies of the materials on class size are available
upon request from the District Office.
Demographic Update: Superintendent John Chambers presented
a summary of the District's enrollment history, and ten-year
forecasts, linking the topic both to class size guidelines,
and to the current study of classroom and core facilities
needs. While a copy of the demographer's full report is available
upon request from the District Office, Mr. Chambers noted
several highlights, K-12:
- 73% growth over the last fifteen years, 1988 to 2003
- 37% growth over the last ten years, 1993 to 2003
- 13% growth forecast from 2003 to 2013, from current 2,712
students to 3,055
- 40-year enrollment history highlights included 1,593 students
in 1963; 2,211 in 1973; down to 1,738 in 1983; and a steady
increase from 1988 to 2003.
Discussion noted that previous high enrollment marks in the
'70s were between 2,200 - 2,300 students, while that mark
was eclipsed in the '90s and continues to grow in the current
decade. A comparison of Byram Hills' fifteen-year growth rate
of 73% with other Westchester districts shows Byram Hills
among the leaders in growth rate.
Emphasizing again the connection between these enrollment
growth figures and the need for additional space, Mr. Chambers
directed public and Board attention to the ongoing series
of work sessions on the facilities topic.
BUSINESS AGENDA
Byram Hills Education Foundation Grants
Good news from the Foundation included both $73,000 in recommended
grants, and an additional $63,500 donation from the Foundation's
joint
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sponsorship of the May 2003 Soccer Fest.
Grants Committee Chair and
Wampus School teacher Anne
Olivieri presented eight grants from the Foundation's process
for School Board approval. The total of $73,000, ranges over
all four schools, and includes items like the Teachers College
Writing Project for Coman Hill, "All Children Can Learn"
materials for Wampus, electronic "Smart Boards"
for
H.C. Crittenden, and the development of the "Facing History
and Ourselves" program for the high school and middle
school. School Board members accepted these grant donations
with great pleasure and enthusiastic thanks to the Foundation.
School Board and Foundation Board member Rick Kaplin outlined
the Foundation's Soccer Fest donation totaling $63,500, which
includes:
- $44,000 to equip the new concession stand after the fields
renovation;
- $3,000 for portable bleachers at HCC and Wampus;
- $16,500 to help equip the new Wellness Center at the high
school, also part of the planned renovations.
Lynn Baine, who chaired Soccer Fest, was recognized by the
Board, and she graciously shared that recognition with Marcia
Hamlin, Brian Roth, Ralph Mack, and Joe Looney. Again, the
School Board expressed gratitude both to the Foundation for
the contribution, and to Soccer Fest workers, not only for
the monetary gift but also for their community-building effort.
Athletic Program Matters: Girls' Soccer
Although the crowded agenda made it late in the evening before
the subject of Girls' Soccer could be
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