Schools
Northport School Notebook: Consolidation Discussion, Student of Month, Eight-Period Day, and More
A very vocal public session dominated the March 7 Board of Ed meeting.
District Consolidation Discussion Continues
Jean Baron, Vice President of United Taxpayers of Northport-East Northport, expressed her concerns about Superintendent Marylou McDermott’s phone conversation with Elwood Superintendent Peter Scordo regarding consolidation. , but said that did not constitute a “formal” response, which would need to be written and sent to the Board of Education.
Fred Trudwig, another UTNEN member, pressed the board for their individual thoughts on the matter of consolidation. Trustee Karen Wills stressed the difficulties inherent in a merger, including a preliminary study and the closing of schools, and said that given the uncertainty over , she wasn’t ready to pursue the issue.
Trustees Donna McNaughton and Joe Gannon agreed. McNaughton cited other concerns, such as Elwood’s small reserve fund, and Gannon said he wouldn’t support “spending $35,000 to do a study.”
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Trustee Lori McCue said that during her attendance at PTA meetings, she hadn’t heard any parents speak in favor of consolidation and didn’t want to spend time or money if the public wasn’t interested.
When Trudwig pushed for a written response, Board President Stephen Waldenburg agreed that he and the other members would put a letter together.
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How Many Class Periods Per Day at High School?
Northport resident Joe Stewart raised the question of going to an eight period day as a way of fitting more teaching time into each class.
“That’s something the Board may wish to consider,” Waldenburg responded but went on to add that personally he felt students benefited more from nine periods because it offered them more choices to pursue their particular interests.
Student of the Month in Science
Brent Bomkamp was honored for being the outstanding science student at the high school. He was awarded a youth participation award by the Huntington Audobon Society and has studied puffins in New England. Bomkamp was also named as a 'Commended Student' in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program and was part of the high school's Math Team.
Upcoming Meetings
The next Board of Ed meeting will take place on March 21 at 7:30 PM at the . On the agenda: A discussion of the proposed budget, a presentation on the instructional initiatives for music, and recognition of the Student of the Month in music.