Penn Yan school board 2/15/12

    Meeting: The Penn Yan school board met for approximately 15 minutes on Wednesday, Feb. 15.  
    Attendance: All board members were present.  Six members of the public were in the audience.  
    Action: Monthly financial reports for January were approved.  
    Discussion without action: Penn Yan Academy Principal Dave Pullen announced the school has begun their Science Throw Down which is an elimination-style science competition among students.  Pullen referred to the initiative as “the spirit of what education should be.”  He also praised school staff members Nate Kraemer, Ann Paige, Walt Naserenko, Judy Willing, and Brent Darrow for their dedication in helping organize the competition.  
    • Pullen commended Senior Reid Castner, a member of the varsity wrestling team, on making the upcoming state championships in Albany for the sport.  Pullen added that along with his athletic achievements, Castner “excels in the classroom, as well, and has taken several AP classes.”
    • Penn Yan Elementary Principal Marcie Ware said the school began their reading initiative on Thursday, Feb. 9 and that it will run through Friday, March 2.
    • Superintendent Dave Hamilton said the school district has begun implementing their teacher evaluations and that teachers have begun meeting with school administrators to work on goal setting.  Hamilton noted that so far, he is “very proud of the work teachers and administrators have done.”
    • Board Member Jeff Bray said he attended the middle school’s honors luncheon on Friday, Feb. 10 and that it was great seeing over 200 students get recognized for their achievements. 
    Upcoming meetings: The next regular school board meeting will be on Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m.