What affiliation does the Whole Kids Education Foundation have with the Warwick Valley Central School District?

There is in fact NO affiliation between Whole Kids, which was founded in May by a group of parents, and the Warwick Valley Central School District. However, the district does support the establishment of an education foundation under the umbrella of Community 2000.

How can I stay informed as to when our Board of Education will be holding meetings?

The Board of Education meeting schedule can be found on www.warwickvalleyschools.com. In addition, prior to each meeting, the Clerk of the Board sends meeting notices to The Warwick Advertiser and The Warwick Valley Dispatch for publication.

How many teachers will be teaching 4th grade at Park Avenue in September and what is the expected teacher-student ratio?

There will be four 4th grade classes and approximately 20-22 students per class.

Is a new stage being built at the middle school?

No, the stage is not being rebuilt. Maintainance for the stage includes refinishing the floor and hanging new curtains.

Are there any OSHA restrictions regarding heat conditions in WVCSD schools? I know some of those buildings are not air conditioned.

While there are no OSHA regulations regarding heat conditions, steps are taken during periods of extremely warm weather to ensure the safety and comfort of our students. For example, fans are utilized to provide cross-ventilation, shades are lowered, classrooms are moved to lower floors or other cooler areas of a building and students are encouraged to stay hydrated and given plenty of opportunities to drink water.

If two greeters are eliminated at the high school and there is only one entrance open next year, won’t visitors be able to roam the building out of eyesight?

No. Sectors are currently used to monitor the high school buildings and grounds. The set up of staff will be reconfigured as needed to maintain a safe learning environment. 

If the greeters are eliminated from the elementary schools, what will the new dismissal procedure be for students and their parents?

Dismissal procedures for next year will be determined by building principals over the summer break. Any new procedures will surely be outlined in welcome back letters and posted on the district website once they are finalized. 

Now that the budget has been passed, have the jobs of the meeter/greeters in each school been saved?

The elementary school greeter positions have been eliminated.

Can you explain why the average tax rate increase is higher for Chester residents than for Warwick residents?

Homes in Chester are currently assessed at 57 percent of full value while Warwick homes are currently assessed at 13.5 percent of full value. The difference in the estimated tax increases is a result of the varying annual assessment rates for each town, which are set by the Town Assessors in Warwick and Chester, and are subject to change in August.

Odyssey of the Mind is such a valuable program and promotes brain power and problem-solving. Why was it cut from the budget? There isn’t a lot of money involved in keeping this program afloat. Why would students be denied the chance to improve their thinking skills? Is there any chance that it can be reinstated?

It was reinstated and our commitment is to work with schools and parents to see how to expand the OM program to include more than 56 students.

I've seen signs that read "Pearce for School Board" around Warwick. Is this candidate running for the Warwick Valley Central School District Board of Education?

No. The five candidates running for three WVCSD Board of Education seats are: John Connolly, David Eaton, Michael Gurvich, Christina Pahucki and Samantha Sweeton.

Can you tell me exactly how many people will not be employed by the WVCSD when the new budget comes into effect? In other words, how many people will be laid off?

The 2011-12 proposed budget calls for 53 position reductions. However, due to subsequent retirements and resignations in positions that won't be re-hired, the anticipated number of layoffs at this time is 40.

Where does the money from the general fund at the high school go?

Revenue deposited in this fund is used to offset expenses.
The general fund is where all revenue and expenses are accounted for.

Can you please tell me what the 6 administrative positions that were reduced are? I only am aware of the Middle School AP, whose position was eliminated in December.

Since 2009, the district has reduced administrative staff by the following:
1 - CSE Chairperson
1 - HS Assistant Principal
1-  Middle School Assistant Principal
1-  Elementary Principal - PI closing and Mrs. Hamburger retiring.
The proposed budget for 2011-12 includes the elimination of two additional administrative positions.

What are the plans for future utilization of the MacLab in the High School?

The District would like to expand and improve the utilization of the MacLab; with that will come additional professional development and additional courses being scheduled in the lab. New software programs like Finnale' have been installed and will continue to be purchased.

Who are the candidates running for the Board of Education in this year's election?

The annual budget vote and election of board members will take place on Tuesday, May 17th. On June 30, 2011, the term of office expires for three Board Members: David Eaton, John Connolly and Samantha Sweeton. These three incumbents are running for reelection. Chrissy Pahucki and Michael Gurvich are running for the first time as candidates for the Board of Education. Candidate profiles will be posted on the District Website as soon as the candidates complete them.

With the thought of leaping into 21st century learning will Warwick finally implement a technology curriculum for K-12?

We would need to develop the technology curriculum first and then implement it. State standards will give us the framework, but we have to complete the curriculum map. Because it is our goal to provide students with the education and skills necessary to compete in the 21st century, as we move forward, we will look for ways to make use of any available technology that could enhance the education of students in all grade levels.

What does the future hold for the computer labs in the district if there is no instructional aide in the lab?

Members of the teaching staff will utilize the computer labs on their own.

What is the process for determining which extracurricular activities, both sports and clubs, will be cut? Who makes the decision, the Superintendent? Principals? School Board? What criteria are used to make the decision? Will community input be solicited and if so, when?

Each building principal is allocated a sum of money for extracurricular activities. Decisions as to which clubs will receive funding are made by each principal and are usually based on student enrollment/interest in the club and the cost of the club. Community input can be sent to building principals via telephone, email or U.S. postal service.

When are the letters notifying parents that their child/children will be transferred to another school expected to be mailed?

After reviewing proposed school boundary lists with our transportation director and all four elementary school principals, the lists for each school have been generated and the notification letters should be mailed within the next week.

We will continue to review the status of students with disabilities to determine their appropriate placement for next year. Those decisions will be made with parents at their child’s annual review meeting to be held later this spring.

Also, please note that childcare requests for the 2011-12 school year can be found on the District website and should be received by the Transportation Department no later than May 1, 2011. Childcare requests that take a student out of their home attendance zone will be on hold as we monitor enrollment numbers in the requested school. We will act on those requests later this spring.

Is it true that instructional aides in the computer lab will be cut in 2011-12?

Teacher Aides assigned to the computer labs will be reassigned with different duties for the 2011-2012 school year. Teacher Aides currently assigned to the computer labs will not necessarily be "cut" for the 2011-2012 school year, however, removing the Teacher Aides from the computer labs does reduce the number of Teacher Aides needed for next year.

 

During a recent drive through Carlisle, PA, I noticed a lot of solar panels in a small area of Wilson Elementary School grounds. Would this be a cost effective way to help lower costs long-term for our schools?

Photovoltaic technology continues to be investigated as a future option. Hopefully, at some point Solar Renewable Energy Certificates will change the economics entirely and New York State PV installations will explode as they did in New Jersey when SRECs were in place.

Where does the money from High School students' parking permits go?

The fees collected for student parking permits goes into the high school's general fund - the same place fees for lost textbooks go.

What are the plans next year for the Pine Island Elementary School building?

There are no plans yet. The district is not planning to put the building up for sale. The hope is that BOCES will rent it for possible use as an agricultural/equestrian facility.

Is it true that Kiryas Joel is purchasing Pine Island Elementary School?

No, that is not true. The only action taken regarding the PI building has been to contact BOCES to look into its possible use as an agricultural/equestrian facility.

I heard that the Middle School Jazz Band has been cut for 2011-12. Is that true?

No, that is not true.

The district is reducing the amount of money for extra curricular activities for next year, but as of this date the Middle School Jazz Band is not a club that is “on the chopping block”.

Is there a "theme" for this year's junior prom?

There is no "theme" per se. However, the students have chosen the colors black, white and silver to decorate.

Welcome to The Warwick Wire!

Welcome! The Warwick Valley Central School District created The Warwick Wire to enhance communication between the district and the community. The goal of using this tool is to answer your questions, address your concerns and dispel any rumors circulating throughout the community. Click on the "Submit a Question" link on the right to submit your question.