Sullivan West: back to school

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Sullivan West School Board completed a walk-through of elementary and secondary school campuses just prior to its August 23 meeting. By agreement of all board members present, both campuses are clean, safe, well-maintained and ready for September 5, opening day of the 2018-2019 school year. Enrollment is almost flat: 23 students left the district, and 26 new students have enrolled.

Lorraine Poston, assistant superintendent for administrative services, reported that the annual update of the SAVE Plan, an emergency response plan for each campus, is now complete. Described in confidential documents, the plan includes eight fire drills and four lockdowns to be conducted over the course of the school year. Poston also reported on her participation, along with 16 others, in a Therapeutic Crisis Intervention program designed to teach school officials to recognize and quell conflict between students before it escalates to flashpoint. Although the course is specifically aimed at faculty and staff who supervise students, Poston said it’s useful even for business office administrators and is applicable to interpersonal conflict between people of all ages. Successful completion of the four-day course results in certification that must be maintained with eight-hour refresher courses every six months.

Chief Technology Officer Elizabeth Huggler reported that the instructional technology plan developed by the district has been approved by both Sullivan County BOCES and the New York State Education Department.

Newly-hired District Superintendent Stephen A. Walker announced the appointment of elementary teacher Jamie Vogt to a one-year probationary term beginning August 2, after which time, pending overall annual performance ratings of either “effective” or “highly effective,” she’ll be eligible for tenure. Vogt is certified in New York State early childhood education (birth to grade two), childhood education (grades one to six) and literacy (birth to grade 6).

Some new policies and procedures will be put in place for the 2018-2019 school year. Faculty auditor Kayla Hornicek’s 2017-2018 audit report noted that insufficient documentation of monies collected by classes, clubs and organizations during the past school year made it difficult to determine if collection amounts were equivalent to amounts due. In the coming year, more complete documentation, including sales receipts, dues receipts and itemized breakdown of accounts receivable will be required.

After noting that Walker and new district clerk, Christina Kautz, have both hit the ground running, President Rose Joyce-Turner commented on the joy, apprehension and promise felt by parents and teachers everywhere before the first day of school. Turner is both parent and teacher of English language arts in Monticello School District. Admitting to relief that her son soon will be immersed in academic and extra-curricular activities again, she also quietly stated that she’d experienced her first nightmare of the school year the previous night. She said, “All teachers have them, you know.”