addressed, several of those in
attendance had opinions to offer on the question of whether
Girls' Varsity Soccer should be played in the spring or the
fall. Title IX was invoked for its implications on equal opportunity
for girls' athletics, court cases in other Westchester districts
and other states were mentioned, and the complications involving
other sports, the availability of officials, and many other
issues were touched.
The Superintendent and Athletic Director Mike Gulino promised
a chance for future dialogue on the subject in an open meeting
to be held on January 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school's
Bobcat Hall. Mr. Chambers stressed that this meeting would
be for information and discussion, but that the administrators
would not be ready at that time to make any recommendation.
He also said that when an administrative recommendation did
emerge, it would not be likely to include an immediate move
for Girls' Soccer to the fall season of 2004.
2004-05 School Calendar Draft
A draft of the calendar for the next school year was made
available, and identified as difficult in comparison to calendars
of recent years. Board members noted that one of the difficulties
was the lack of a week's vacation in April. Copies of the
draft are available in the District Office, but Board action
will not establish an official 2004-05 calendar until January
or February 2004.
Auditor's Report
The annual Auditor's Report was also presented, with auditor
Les Storch pronouncing the School District in "excellent
financial condition."
A executive session concluded the meeting.
|
DECEMBER 10 TOWN/SCHOOL SHARED INTERESTS
A special joint meeting of the Town of North Castle Board
and the School Board was conducted on December 10 to focus
on growth issues (shared concerns, master planning), and other
School District/Town cooperation. All Town Board and School
Board members were present, along with School Superintendent
John Chambers and Town
Supervisor Jack Lombardi, supported by Town Planning Consultant
Adam Kaufman, Planning Board Chair Doug Cassetta, Open Space
Committee Chair Rich Nardi, and Building Inspector Rich Fon.
Discussion included a look at the School District's enrollment
history and forecasts, the Town's growth and planning issues,
and the open space study and follow up. Several other topics
of School District/Town cooperation were also examined. The
very favorable true value tax rate ($11.44 per thousand—39th
out of 44 school districts) rate enjoyed by School District
residents was noted, along with thanks to the Town for the
historical development of a strong tax base, which includes
New York City Watershed property and several corporate headquarters
as taxpayers alongside homeowners. Two bond proposals were
forecast for the spring of 2004—one from the Town (a
second vote on the recreation referendum possible in March),
and one from the School (classroom and core facilities referendum
likely in April). Board members took great care to emphasize
the cooperative nature of their efforts in planning.
Transportation and safety issues were noted, again with recognition
for the shared efforts of the Town and School. Finally, cable
television was cited as yet one more example of School/Town
cooperation, in anticipation of Cablevision's installation
of a broadcast "origination point" at BHHS in the
near future. The potential of this step includes
|
24-hour availability of a dedicated cable
channel for Town and School use, which will allow cable
casting of all Town and School meetings, and the possibility
of future program development ranging from replay of athletic
events to informational programs of local interest.
The meeting was well attended, and several
members of the public had questions or suggestions to offer,
not least of all on the subject of bond votes.
The joint meeting was concluded with a brief
executive session.
HAPPY AND SAFE
HOLIDAYS TO ALL,
AND BEST WISHES
FOR THE NEW YEAR!
|
