Rye Recognition of Excellence Awards
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alvarez presented Rye Recognition of Excellence Awards to eight students; four from the Middle School and four from the High School. Henry Pearson, a senior, was named a candidate in the 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program - a prestigious program that recognizes students based on their accomplishments in areas such as academics, the arts, leadership, and community involvement. Juniors Daniel Keller and Sean Regan earned awards at the Model United Nations Conference in February. Senior Jonah Shainberg was designated to the United States National Fencing Team and will compete at the World Championships in Croatia next month. Middle School students Kevin Chang, Allison Hufford, Madhu Kannan, and Caroline O earned medals at the recent Science Olympiad Competition held in Scarsdale earlier this month. Congratulations to these award recipients! |
Superintendent's Report
Dr. Alvarez discussed the recommended 2013-14 school budget. He reported on some of the challenges that public school districts are facing, particularly relating to the tax cap and growth in TRS and ERS costs. The District will need to make $2.3 million in cost cuts, which will impact 29 FTE positions. Dr. Alvarez explained that it has been a painful budget development process. He announced that an advocacy letter is posted on the District's website, www.ryeschools.org, and encouraged community members to send it to elected representatives urging them to take action in modifying the tax cap and reducing unfunded mandates.
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Open Topics Forum
During the meeting, an Open Topics Forum was held as an opportunity for the public to share their concerns, questions, and feedback regarding the recommended 2013-14 school budget. Board members joined members of the audience at their tables for these discussions. They then returned back to the Board table and reported the key topics that were addressed in their conversations. A summary of the topics, as well as responses prepared by Dr. Alvarez, will be sent out and posted on the District's website, www.ryeschools.org, within the next two weeks.
Prior to the Open Topics Forum, Board of Education President Laura Slack provided remarks with regard to the tax cap and unfunded mandates. She explained the level of difficulty that public school districts are facing in this environment and explained that the Board's objective in developing the budget is to make the educational system the best it can be. She also noted that an educational foundation is being formed to further support the District and its programs and will be officially announced in the near future. Additionally, Mrs. Slack addressed the topic of the Middle School/High School construction project and explained that debt is exempt from the tax cap.
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Budget and Election Procedures
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Financial Algebra
The Board approved adoption of the High School Elective: Financial Algebra, which was presented at the March 5 Board of Education meeting. The course will be offered for the 2013-14 school year beginning in September. |
Retirements
The Board approved five teacher retirements. Mrs. Slack thanked and acknowledged the following educators for their contributions to the District over the years: Kevin Barrett, Barbara Gaines, Judith Halpern, Harriet Sessa, and Doug Tuttle. |
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Next Regular Meeting
April 2, 2013
Rye Middle School Multipurpose Room
Regular Meeting
April 16, 2013
Rye Middle School Multipurpose Room |
Visit our District website for complete information on Board of Education meetings, minutes, policies and actions.
www.ryeschools.org
can be accessed on the District website. Videos should be available 2-3 days after each Board meeting. Past meeting videos are also accessible. |
Watch the video of Board of Education meetings on Cablevision channel 77 and
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