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Assessments of Student Work, with the assistance of Dr.
Taylor and many of the District's administrators and faculty
members (principals, directors, department chairs, and some
teachers from across the four schools). Dialogue included
questions about testing, test preparation, selection for advanced
courses, homework, and the use of tutors.
In a more formal part of the agenda, the related subjects
of the New York State School Report Card, Terra Nova Tests,
and Byram Hills Exemplars were briefly engaged. Dr. Taylor
summarized the New York School Report Card data as again revealing
outstanding achievement on the part of Byram Hills students,
and strong guidance from their teachers. She also noted that
the District's use of Terra Nova tests-chiefly for diagnostic
purposes-would be reduced in the future, due to increasing
time on tests mandated by the State and federal government.
The Byram Hills Exemplars-real examples of student work in
various courses and grade levels-were supplied to the Board.
But since time did not permit the review these rich Exemplars
deserved, the administration proposed bringing the topic back
to the Board for another Curriculum Conversation in the new
school year.
BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR 2005-06
Continuing its long series of meetings in development of the
new year's budget, the Board adopted a 2005-06 budget proposal
in the amount of $59,467,322, an 8% budget-to-budget increase
for the new school year. In so doing, the Board noted key
factors affecting the new budget, including continued enrollment
growth, related staffing costs, State-mandated increases in
retirement benefits, and an increase in health insurance premiums.
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an increase in health insurance premiums.
The budget is submitted to District voters on May 17 as Proposition
1; Proposition 2 (for the use of $1.6MM from reserves to complete
the Athletic Facilities Project) was previously approved,
and therefore will also appear on the May 17 ballot. Two Board
seats are also part of the vote.
BUSINESS AGENDA
Beyond the typical Consent Agenda items, the business agenda
also included Board approval of the 2005-06 BOCES Administrative
Budget, and a resolution to vote for trustees for the BOCES
Board.
Classroom and Core Facilities Project
The District's consulting team was present for another update
on the progress of the classroom facilities project, and to
recommend the remaining bids on the Byram Hills High School
portion of that project. Overall progress continues to be
ahead of schedule, and within budget. Specifically, the approved
bids on the high school totaled $763,000 lower than the budgeted
amount. Work on the high school will begin immediately, with
the next two phases of construction- involving first the elementary
schools and then H.C. Crittenden - should soon follow the
same pattern, so that all construction is under way during
the summer of 2005.
The Board adjourned for an executive session on personnel
matters.
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COMING ATTRACTIONS
Tuesday, May 3-7:30 p.m.
D.O.-Budget Hearing V & Regular Board Meeting -
Budget Vote:
Tuesday, May 17-6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., HCC
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