School Budget Passes
There was good news at the Manchester Township Board of Education Re-Organization meeting on April 25, with the announcement that the school budget passed by over 700 votes (62%) in the April 16 school election. "It was a huge victory and I want to thank everyone for their support," said Dr. William DeFeo, Superintendent of Schools. "I am pleased not just for myself but for the children, because they are the beneficiaries. They will be served much better than they were in the previous year. We will do our best to restore the items like field trips that were taken away when the budget was defeated last year, and we should be able to hire replacement staff for empty positions in order to maintain class sizes."
Board of Education President, Mary Walter, also expressed appreciation for the budget victory. "It makes a big difference for the coming year," she said. "I also want to congratulate Ken Pate and Jane Stiers for their uncontested re-election. I think it shows the public has confidence in this Board."
Members Sworn In, Officers Elected
Pate and Stiers (photo left) were sworn in for their new terms before official business began, and Walter and Pate were reappointed as President and Vice President of the board. Annual organization items like committees, professional services, bank depositories, etc. were approved before the special meeting was adjourned and the regular meeting opened.
Presentations
Comprehensive Equity Plan
Barbara Smith, Curriculum Supervisor and the district’s Affirmative Action Officer, briefly reviewed the district’s Comprehensive Equity Plan. She said the district is in compliance in all areas and said that areas of focus this year will be professional development in the areas of harassment and bullying, particularly cyber-bullying, as well as closing the achievement gap. The district will also continue to work on resolving inequities in the areas of Gifted & Talented and English as a Second Language, she said.
HS Business Dept. Changes
High School Principal, David Walling, outlined changes in being made in the high school business program. A new course, Money, Banking & Finance, was introduced this year dealing with personal finance and has been successful with 21 students enrolled, he said. Next year, plans are to add Introduction to Business, a comprehensive course that will touch on types of businesses, business planning and finance, entrepreneurship, and more. In 2008-09, Walling said they hope to add an economics course.
Technology Plan Update
Clifford Conover, District Technology Coordinator, gave an update on the district’s Technology Plan, telling the board that the district is in full compliance with state and federal standards and that he is confident that the plan will meet student and staff needs for the next few years despite budget constraints.
Adequate Security in Place
In light of the recent Virginia Tech shooting incident, Dr. DeFeo assured the Board that the district has adequate safety and security plans in place and that there is a system for dealing with students who are suspected of being a threat to others or to themselves. "We do not take any incident lightly. Students who make threats are immediately removed from school, they are suspended, the police are called and a psychiatric evaluation is required before the student can return to school," he explained.
MS Meets Math Requirements
Dr. DeFeo congratulated Manchester Middle School Principal, Tom Baxter, and his staff on the news that the middle school met state requirements for math scores in 2006.
School Lunch Price Increase
Business Administrator, Peter Corigliano, told the Board that school lunch and breakfast prices would increase next year by 10 cents. Regular lunch prices will be $1.70 for elementary students and $1.80 for middle and high school students, breakfast will be 80 cents. Reduced lunch and breakfast prices will not change. He also announced that Sodexho, the district’s food service vendor, will donate an annual $2500 scholarship to the district beginning this year.
Other Business
In other business, district calendars and personnel for next year were approved, along with revisions to this year’s calendar to make up for emergency closings. The Middle School will have an additional early dismissal day added on June 15, however, graduation will still be held as scheduled on June 14. PM Kindergarten classes will attend full day sessions as follows: Whiting-April 26, MTES-May 29, Ridgeway-June 8. The Preschool Disabilities program will have a 90-minute session added on June 15.
