Lengthy meeting. Over two hours. Majority of the time was spent on the issue of how to fill John Pinto's seat and classroom size. For the meeting agenda please click on the link below.
Below is a summary:
- The Board once again held public debate to determine how to address filling Pinto's vacant seat. trustees Corona, Miller and Hyland continued to maintain the same position echoed during the May 21, 2018 special election; open the application process to the public and have interested applicants submit letters of intent to serve the remaining year of Pinto's term. Steve Enella is permitted to submit his own letter of intent and if he remains the most qualified candidate, he would be selected to fill seat. Hyland commented on how this process is the most democratic. Board president Gargiulo and trustees Ransom and Enella continued to maintain their position on having Steve Enella move into PInto's seat. Gargiulo, Ransom and Enella reasoned that there can be no greater democratic process since Steve received 518 votes. With at large voting, had three seats been up for grabs, Steve would have won with the third highest votes received. Board voted and remained deadlocked. The same issue will be re voted at next Board meeting where Michelle Gordon and Vincent Lentini will participate in the voting and discussion.
- The Board then presented awards for appreciation and service to Steve Enella, Todd Ransom and John Pinto for their years of service.
- The Superintendent wanted to acknowledge Wendy Gargiulo's service as Board President as her term was ending on June 30, 2018. The Board will elect a new President and Vice President during the re-org meeting on July 2, 2018.
- After the usual announcements and Board order of business were addressed, the Superintendent addressed the public to clarify some rumors that were being spread regarding classroom size in the community.
- Superintendent did not promote an incoming kindergarten student to next grade to address this issue or because a family complained. Superintendent does not promote students and does not have the power to do so.
- Classroom size and amount of teachers for each grade for the 2018-2018 year has already been determined based on the budget that was passed on May 15, 2018.
- For next year there are three incoming Kindergarten classes at all three elementary schools. Camp Ave and Old Mill are the two schools with Kindergarten classes with 25 students. Fayette has three kindergarten classes with 18 students in each class. Camp Avenue has three 6th grade classes with 25 students in each grade.
- There is no evidence that students in a class size with 25 or more receive poorer attention then students in class with less students or that class room size of 25 or more impacts education or learning. Our children are getting the attention required and are learning as evidenced by grades and progress reports.
- Each class has a teacher and aide and Dr. Seniuk promised that each student gets the appropriate attention required. The teachers are also provided with the support required.
- While the District does not have cap on the amount of students in a class, Dr. Seniuk has taken liberty of capping class size for any incoming families and children for Old Mill and Camp; the two schools with Kindergarten classes with 25 students.
- Residents move into the district and while they are zoned for a particular school and the District will try to do its best to ensure that children go to the school they are zoned, Dr. Seniuk advised that any new families moving into our district that are zoned for Camp Avenue and Old Mill will be advised that they will be assigned to Fayette to address the concerns about growing class size.
- Any parent who does not wish to have their child enrolled for next year in a class the parent deems is too large can contact Dr. Seniuk and their child will be transferred to Fayette.
- Any parent that has concerns about class size should contact Dr. Seniuk via email or phone. Her contact information is posted on the district website.
- There were residents who addressed the Board about their concerns about classroom size, inquiring whether there was anything the Board can do to address their concerns. Board President, Wendy Gargiulo advised the residents that the Board plays no role and has no say in classroom size. The district determines classroom size. Classroom size is dictated by the budget.
- If residents wanted more teachers and more classes, the only way to address this concern for 2019-2020 school year would be to raise the tax cap. Raising tax cap would mean that everyone's taxes would go up. Board President also reiterated Dr. Seniuk's statement about there not being any evidence that large classroom size impacted education of children in a negative way.
- CRONM submitted a petition and letter on behalf of the North Merrick residents supporting Enella moving into Pinto's seat and asking the Board to listen to the voice of their constituents and end this divide and deadlock before July 2, 2018.
- There was one resident who voiced objection to Enella moving into Pinto' seat reasoning that since Enella lost he does not deserve to remain on board. People voted and he lost. This resident also commented on the low voter turnout and how "pathetic it was that less then 10% of our 12,000 residents voted."
- There was a resident who spoke in support of the North Merrick Faculty Association endorsing and supporting Board trustees and addressed misinformation about the Board and responsibilities being transmitted on social media.
To read the meeting minutes from June 12,2018 as posted on the District Website, please click below:
- The next Board meeting is July 2, 2018 at 8 pm. It will be a reorganization meeting with the incoming trustees, Michelle Gordon and Vincent Lentini being sworn in and addressing business.