Farmingdale School District Board of Education

By Susan Squillace

The Farmingdale School District Board of Education met last Wednesday, discussing new high school courses, notification of the local residency of sex offenders, and the accommodation of growing enrollment, among other topics.

Eight new high school courses were voted upon and approved by the board during the meeting. Before the approval, Farmingdale Schools' Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Dr. Robert J. Schultz presented the new courses to the board, noting that an additional 1.8 teachers would be needed to provide them. The courses are: Government and Economics, Participation in Political Economics (Social Studies, grade 11), Integrated Mathematics 3RX (grade 11), Introduction to C++ (Mathematics grades 10, 11, 12 - replaces Introduction to Pascal, Computer Language), Senior Social Studies, Advanced Placement (Grade 12), US History Advanced Placement Seminar (Grade 11), Advanced Placement Language and Composition (English Language Arts, grade 11), and English 11 Support Lab (providing more intensive preparation for the English Regents Exam).

During the discussion of the board's policy on notification of the residency of sex offenders, it was noted that the most recent additions to the policy are the following: the inclusion of the PTA Council president on the list of possible recipients of the notification from the district superintendent; and the statement that "employees receiving notification are prohibited from engaging in the unauthorized release of such information. No person receiving this information may use same to illegally discriminate or harass the convicted sex offender." Farmingdale Schools' Assistant Superintendent for Administration Barbara Horsley said the statement should also include the warning that any further dissemination of the information might result in "criminal or civil penalties."

Also at the meeting, Herb Farina, principal of Albany Avenue Elementary School presented a report on possible space utilization changes in his school to accommodate growing student enrollment. The school would need three additional classrooms next year for the projected enrollment of 860 students in kindergarten through sixth grade, he said. Farina recommended moving the LIKE (Language Instruction Kindergarten Extension) program into the Learning Center, moving to full inclusion for those in grades 5 and 6 who are able to, and relocating the Care program to a different site. He also proposed using the stage or band practice rooms for string instrument classes, and converting a custodial office into a small classroom. These changes would effectively house the increased population, and would allow space for a full day kindergarten as well, he noted.

Another presentation at the meeting was made by Horsley, who reported on a recent trip to Albany made by the district's lobby committee. Because the state budget is showing a surplus, many educators are optimistic about school aid, she noted, adding that it seemed to be a successful trip. The Legislature has proposed allocating $220 million of the surplus to help school districts meet new tougher state standards, as well as $47 million to help prevent students from entering special education classes.

During the public participation part of the meeting, Farmingdale High School teacher and coach Pete Cerrone requested that the board provide money in the school budget for an athletic trainer. After a discussion of the matter, Board President Josephine Macchia said the board would take the request into careful consideration.

A special meeting of the Board of Education will be held Jan. 28 to discuss the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program, the School to Work Program, and the Drug and Alcohol Prevention programs in the district. Farmingdale PTA Council will celebrate Founder's Day on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Howitt Middle School.