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An 18-member committee was charged with discussing ways to address the inequities in class size between the two elementary schools. Both schools presently serve kindergarten through fifth grades, but in some cases, teachers at Cold Spring had classes that were five to six students smaller than Seymour Smith Elementary.
After the committee's report came out, members of the public began asking if the district had considered closing Cold Spring Elementary, said Board President Helene McQuade.
Trustee Joann Wolfe said the board needs to have answers for the public.
Superintendent Linda Kaumeyer said she will be gathering some proposals from consultants who will analyze the costs involved in closing the building. She said she hopes to have the first report ready this fall, or by winter break at the latest.
In other board action, Michael Kohut, a former teacher, coach and athletic director, has been appointed to serve as interim athletic director on a per-diem basis, while the district reopens its search for a full-time director of health, physical education and athletics.
"I think he's going to be a tremendous asset," Kaumeyer said. He will make "an immediate and positive impact."
Steve De Luca will serve as director of health and physical education for the fall semester.
Maryann Stoorvogel, director of special education, gave a report about the state education department's visit to review the district's special education services. The visit, the first in 10 years, was to make sure the district is being effective in providing quality programs and services and is offering students a full range of opportunities in the general education curriculum.
The district was in compliance in 30 out of 32 areas. In the two areas needing improvement, the district will be providing more specific information in students' individualized education plans and in outlining student performance and progress.
Among its strengths are its literacy and instructional programs, but the district can do more to increase its focus on phonemic awareness and improve spelling and handwriting instruction, Stoorvogel said.
Assistant Superintendent Michael Goldbeck said the district facilities committee has been looking more deeply into the masonry project at Seymour Smith Elementary in an effort to revise a proposal to address health and safety issues.
Work on the district's athletic facilities project is wrapping up. Chris Gent with the Palombo Group, the district's construction manager, said he is working to level the tennis court and eliminate ponding in some areas.
The policy committee is also reviewing a proposal that would allow children of employees to attend district schools without charge. The majority of district employees already have the benefit in their contracts, but the board is considering making it a policy so that it would be available to all employees. A proposed policy is scheduled to be considered at the Aug. 27 board meeting.
