Watkins Glen school board 4/18/11

Meeting:  The Watkins Glen school board met Monday, April 18, for 55 minutes.
Attendance:  Kevin Field was the only board member absent.  There were no members of the public in the audience.
Action:  The board agreed to contract with Hunt Engineers to finalize the plans for the proposal to relocate the middle school campus to the high school.  
Discussion without action:   Clerk Sharon Clark said the deadline for board of education candidates to file was Monday, April 18.  She said the seats up for vote belong to Field, Tom Richardson, and Gloria Brubaker.  All three filed to run and are unopposed.
• Middle school Principal Kristine Somerville said English Language Arts and math assessments will be given in early May.  She said the middle school has a three to four day time frame to administer the tests.  Superintendent Tom Phillips explained the state education department wants the ELA test given and scored before the math test is given.  He added the state wants the results sooner.
• Somerville added the middle school is still occasionally hosting tours from other districts interested in the mobile learning devices.
• High school Principal Dave Warren announced 225 students participated in the Interact club’s Night Out.  Events included crafts, track, and swimming.
• District Treasurer Gayle Sedlack presented the board with the preliminary information about the budget that will go out in the school’s monthly newsletter.
• Nan Woodworth-Shaw, director of special services, reported that the school is working with the county Wellness Committee to brainstorm ways to publicize positive mental health.
• The board of education got new policies to look over for the next meeting.  Clark said the changes cover animals in schools and use of social media.  She added computer use and instruction got a major overhaul and is simpler now.  The board will do its reading at the next board meeting.
• Phillips announced the varsity athletic banquet will be June 7 at 6 p.m.  He also acknowledged the winter scholar athletes: boys swimming and diving, girls indoor track, girls bowling, and girls basketball.
• Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Mike DeNardo said the pool now has a new record board, donated by the Sports Boosters Club.
Upcoming meetings:  The next school board meeting is Tuesday, May 3.  It is anticipated that the regular session will start at 6:30 p.m.