Rose Joyce-Turner, Sullivan West Central School District BOE president, presents the Sullivan West Standout certificate to music teacher Michele Krentz.

Sullivan West Superintendent of Schools Stephen A. Walker makes a point during the presentation titled "Grading Practices: Present and Future"

Previous Next

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — For the first time in recent memory, on Wednesday, May 19, the Sullivan West Central School District Board of Education (BOE) held its regular monthly public meeting in person rather than via Zoom.

In looking forward, district voters passed the proposed budget of $39,407,116 by a vote of 619 to 159 and elected three new board members. Kristy Sigelakis replaces incumbent Lucas Arzilli. Matthew Halloran replaces incumbent Sarah Copper. Brian Kitson won over Dena Stevenson in an open seat. Katrina Chellis ran unopposed. The new board will be installed at the July meeting.

Student board member Abigail Gaebel thanked the administration for their support during “the haphazardness of last school year,” but now that the area appears to be coming into the light at the end of the dark pandemic tunnel, Gaebel noted several positive projects: personalized lawn signs portraying the upperclassmen; flags with their likeness flying in Jeffersonville, Callicoon, Youngsville and Narrowsburg; a movie night at the landmark Callicoon Theatre; and more.

“The Class of 2021 greatly appreciates all that you have done for us,” she said, noting that next month, the junior/senior band and chorus will present outdoor concerts.

Then the meeting outlined next year with three PowerPoint presentations: a proposed student trip to Italy and Greece next year, Fall II senior athletics overview by athletic director Dave Eggleton and a review of grading practices by superintendent of schools Stephen A. Walker and Dr. Kathleen Bressler.

Eleventh-grader Dylan Sager, made a pitch to the board for a nine-day high school trip to Rome and Greece next school year (April 14, 2022 through April 22, 2022). French and Spanish teacher Daniela Fox and Spanish teacher Christina Hubert fielded questions regarding the cost of the trip and future fundraising events.

Citing the benefits of educational travel, such as attaining an expanded view of the world and personal growth, Sager told the board the trip would give the students a once-in-a-lifetime experience that would “allow us to step out of our comfort zone and see the world for the beautiful place it is.”

Dave Eggleton, Sullivan West’s athletic director, presented a review of Fall II Sports 2021, comprising 14 programs and involving a total of 147 student-athletes: cheerleading (football and game-day cheer), cross country (modified, and varsity boys and girls), boys soccer (modified and varsity), girls soccer (modified, junior varsity, varsity), football (modified and varsity) and volleyball (modified, junior varsity and varsity).

• Walker and assistant superintendent for instructional services Bressler joined forces to present a program titled “Grading Practices: Present and Future,” that examined the controversial subject of changes made in the district’s grading system due to COVID-19.

In addressing the topic of why changes were made this year, the administrative presentation stressed that it is important to “err on the side of grace and flexibility for students.” The administrations stated that several workgroups have been created to look at the future with the mission to “develop a culture of inquiry through collaborative discussion, research and collegial sharing of practices.”

In other matters, Walker and the BOE recognized James Williams as Elementary School Student of the Month. Michele Krentz, a music teacher, was recognized as the Sullivan West Standout.

• Whitney DeRienzo was appointed to the position of occupational therapist, current leave replacement Patrick Miraglia was appointed to a probationary term as a high school English teacher and part-time art teacher Natalie Sauer was appointed as a full-time art instructor at the elementary school.

The next regularly scheduled public meeting of SWCSD BOE will be on Thursday, June 17 at 7 p.m.

For information, call the district office 845/482-4610, and for questions and feedback, email feedback@swcsd.org.