LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Sullivan West school board held its regular monthly meeting on March 16.

Due to a recent spate of inclement weather, the naming of the Sullivan West Standout was postponed until the April meeting.

Padraic “Paddy” McCarthy, adviser to the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, talked to the board about the group’s upcoming trip to the state convention in Buffalo and briefed them on the February outing to Camp Oswegatchie in Croghan.

The local FFA students were joined at “Camp O” by their counterparts from Cazenovia FFA and Canistota FFA. They participated in team-building activities, snowshoeing, construction of survival huts and more.

For more information about the Sullivan West FFA chapter, write to 6604 State Rte. 52, P.O. Box 309, Lake Huntington, NY 12752 or email mccarthypad@swcsd.org/.

District election

The board appointed election personnel for the upcoming public library budget/election vote scheduled for Wednesday, April 19 at each branch of the library from 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Voters will approve the $1,063,613 library budget for 2023-24 and elect two trustees to fill the seats currently held by Marguerite Brown and Christopher Peacock. 

From the superintendent

In her comments to the board, Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bressler thanked the board members for approving her attendance at the New York State Superintendent Council’s winter conference, where she participated in “some valuable sessions on long-term financial planning, electric buses, professional learning communities, and administrative team coaching… it was invigorating.”

It was also announced that Sheila Schultz was awarded a $2,200 grant from Sullivan 180 to expand the elementary school garden, which was originally funded by Sullivan Renaissance. 

“Over the years, it has produced a variety of locally grown produce, said Bressler. “Sheila is the garden club advisor, and has led our grade levels in starting these plants from seeds and harvesting… She is expanding the garden to include more native plants and a space for herbs.”

Bressler briefed the board on “Thought Exchange,” an element of the district’s strategic plan, designed to “develop an improved connection with our community by streamlining communication.” 

“We are looking for your thoughts on how the community best receives and values communication from the district so we can learn what’s most important to everyone before we move ahead together,” she said, noting that on March 20, the district formally launched the project.

“We will be using your thoughts to make decisions regarding district communication tools such as our school website, social media, K-12 alerts, Remind App, etc., and our ability to convey school-related news and information to parents and families… so everyone has a chance to share their perspectives and understand what’s most important to the group.” 

The board’s public relations committee will review the results, and will report to the board at the April meeting.

Noted, briefly

• The board accepted the resignation of former superintendent Kenneth Hilton as the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) representative for the district, effective June 30. Jackie Rutledge was selected for a two-year term as the district’s representative to the local BOCES.
• The students of the month are Aden Volpe, Ella Herbert, Paige Sigelakis and Avery Mootz.
• The Top 10 students from the class of 2023 were recognized by the board: Angela Cordischi, Anabella Wagner, Anna Bernas, Isabella DuBois, Winter Sager, Cheyenne Decker, Paige Muzuruk, Matthew Mills, Michael Schroeder Jr. and Georgeanne Cardona.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in the high school library.

For information, contact district clerk Christine Kautz at 845/482-4600, ext. 3000, or email kautzchr@swcsd.org.