Watkins Glen school board 8/16/10

Meeting:  The Watkins Glen school board met Monday, Aug. 16, for 40 minutes.
Attendance:  Michael Myers was the only board member absent.  There were seven members of the public in the audience.
Action:  The board approved the 2010-11 tax levy of $11.55 per thousand.  Gayle Sedlack, district business manager, said this is a 34 cents increase over last year.  She explained Watkins just got the official assessment tax roll for all the towns in the county, so could figure out what the tax levy would actually be.
• The board accepted $500 from Lisa Phillips to go towards the summer tennis camp.
Discussion without action:  Joan Brubaker, Hector resident, spoke to the board about the district’s math and English Language Arts scores.  She said she looked at what curriculum was available online, and added it is not in line with current, basic neurological development practices.  Brubaker added the elementary should have a reading specialist, and offered up some materials on teaching math and ELA.  Superintendent Tom Phillips said that Watkins has consistently been in the top one-third of schools with performance.  He added the district is very confident in the curriculum.
• Phillips announced the outdoor classroom is completed.  There is now a teaching space, right at the edge of the marsh on school property.
Appointments/resignations:  The board recognized the following retiring staff; Marsha Stout , Jack Telech, Jolene Miller, Ron Pierce, and Tom Harbot.
Upcoming meetings:  The next regular school board meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 7.  It is expected to start at 6:30 p.m., following a 5:45 p.m. executive session.