SUPERINTENDENT/BOARD OF EDUCATION GOALS 2019-20

1. Oversee implementation of the District’s Strategic Plan including action items to support the following goals:
   a. Cultivate an empathetic, inclusive and equitable school community that values and encourages respect, voice and agency for all students.
   
   b. Develop innovative problem solvers, critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators and strong collaborators who can apply their knowledge and skills to navigate real world challenges.
   
   c. Deepen our systemic academic and social-emotional supports for the health, safety, and well-being of the whole child, recognizing that our learners need to balance academic, physical, social, and emotional demands.
2. Develop a responsible budget that manages the District’s short and long-term finances in a way that balances the preservation of program, staffing, and operational efficiencies.
3. Oversee implementation of the 2018 Bond Referendum projects, administering all processes necessary to adhere to established timelines and budgets, and implementing a plan for transparent collaboration with the Board and community.

Board of Education Committees

AUDIT

BOE Chair: V. Mazzaro

Administrative Liaison: J. Hricay

Additional BOE Members: J. Young

Community Representative(s): Kelly Ulto, Maria Tiso, Sunny Holcomb

Additional Staff Members: C. Champ

Focus: The Authentic Learning/Curriculum Committee will explore, study and implement the action steps of this goal area in the District’s Strategic Plan. Specifically, the committee will be looking at ways to advance relevant and authentic experiences for all students, and exploring how the District’s use of time and space can better support these efforts. 

Authentic Learning (formerly Curriculum)

BOE Chair: J. DeDomenico

Administrative Liaison: S. Garcia

Additional BOE Members: N/A

Community Members: Erin Ginsberg, Joanie Paradis, Sarah Mallach, Amy Sparano

Additional Staff Members: J. Chung, M. Thompson, T. Callahan, J. Sebalos, S. Llewellyn, J. Rothstein

Focus: The Authentic Learning/Curriculum Committee will explore, study and implement the action steps of this goal area in the District’s Strategic Plan. Specifically, the committee will be looking at ways to advance relevant and authentic experiences for all students, and exploring how the District’s use of time and space can better support these efforts. 

Bond Steering

BOE Chair: J. Young

Administrative Liaison: J. Hricay

Additional BOE Members: J. Brice, S. Childs

Community Representative(s): Madeline Smith, Peter Romano, James Smithmeyer, David Brown, Rob Keough, Lisa Gomez

Additional Staff Members: J. Hricay, C. Champ, J. Condon, T. Fitzgerald, J. Clark, L. Sabia, J. Carr, S. Luciana, J. Sebalos, A. Wolff. 

Focus: The Bond Steering Committee will be the district’s advisory interface with the architect and construction manager. The Committee will meet between Board of Education (BOE) meetings to vet information related to construction, design and cost necessary to make informed decisions regarding the implementation of the 2018 Capital Improvement Bond. This committee will make recommendations to the Board as needed.

POLICY

BOE Chair: E. Miller

Administrative Liaison: C. Champ

Additional BOE Members: L. Tahbaz

Community Representative(s): TBD

Additional Staff Members: J. Hricay, S. Garcia, J. Chung

Focus: Update, review and recommend required policies and regulations in an on-going basis in collaboration with BOCES services, to be consistent with new state mandates and requirements.

Community Engagement and Advocacy

BOE Chair: J. DeDomenico

Administrative Liaison: C. Champ

Additional BOE Members: E. Miller

Community Representative(s): Liza Schaeffer, Katherine Pringle, Linda Woodward, Jennifer Hawks Bland, Marcos Rolland, Christine Elliott

Additional Staff Members: A. Wolff

Focus: To evaluate and improve two-way communication with the community and to advocate for the educational interests of our students and Public Education at both the state and local levels.

Cultural Competence (Formerly Diversity)

BOE Chair: E. Miller

Administrative Liaison: M. Thompson, J. Clark

Additional BOE Members: N/A

Community Members: Michael Middleton, Ehab Abdel Kareem, AnnMarie Garcia, Maria Ines Raij, Louise Kelly, Noreen Naroo-Pucci, Peter Romaniuk

Additional Staff Members: C. Champ, L. Sabia, T. Wilson, S. Gilbert

Focus: The Cultural Competence Committee will oversee the implementation of the action steps of this goal area in the District’s Strategic Plan. Specifically, the committee will work with District wide staff to support efforts to increase student voice and agency, align curriculum to reflect principles, values and lessons of inclusivity and equity, incorporate culturally responsive theory and practice, and build a more diverse and culturally proficient staff.

Facilities/Athletic Facilities

BOE Chair: J. Brice, V. Mazzaro

Administrative Liaison: J. Hricay

Additional BOE Members: S. Childs

Community Representative(s): Chris Zaber, Kevin Ritchie

Additional Staff Members: C. Champ / J. Condon / S. Luciana

Focus: The Facilities/Athletic Facilities Committee will oversee the long-term Capital Improvement Planning for all the district’s facilities including maintenance, small, and large capital projects relating to all schools, athletic facilities, and offices.

Safety

BOE Chair: S. Childs

Administrative Liaison: J. Hricay

Additional BOE Members: N/A

Community Representative(s): Judy Shampanier, Nancy Harvey

Additional Staff Members: C. Champ, J. Chung, J. Condon, J. Sebalos

Focus: The District's Safety & Security Committee works to assess and improve the security of our buildings and ensure that our students and staff are safe in and around the school facilities.

Wellness

BOE Chair: L. Tahbaz

Administrative Liaison: J. Chung

Additional BOE Members: N/A

Community Members: Laura Caruso, Sarah Frei, Marti Arden, Kristy Rebele, Tara Lyons, Sandra Ritossa

Additional Staff Members: J. Chung, J. Hricay, S. Luciana, L. Ribeiro, G. Lau, J. Rothstein, E. Farrell, S. Gilbert

Focus: The Wellness Committee works as an oversight committee to maintain and/ or implement new programs and strategies through a perspective of best practices for the social and emotional wellness of our students K-12. The committee will oversee portions of the Strategic Plan goal of supporting the Whole Child.

LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS 2019-20

1. Pelham Memorial High School - J. Brice
2. Pelham Middle School -  J. Young
3. Special Education PTA -  J. DeDomenico
4. Colonial -  V. Mazzaro
5. Hutchinson - S. Childs
6. Prospect Hill - L. Tahbaz
7. Siwanoy School - E. Miller
8. SWBOCES - J. DeDomenico

District Committees

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Administrative Chair: J. Chung

Community Members: N/A

Additional Staff Members: S. Garcia, J. Carr, M. Thompson, T. Callahan, L. Ribeiro, G. Lau, E. Farrell, T. Wilson, S. Gilbert

Professional Learning Advisory Committee

Administrative Chair: S. Garcia

Community Members: N/A

Additional Staff Members: J. Chung, M. Thompson, T. Callahan, S. Gilbert, J. Sebalos

Math

Administrative Chair: T. Callahan

Community Members: Arshad Zaidi, Kazi Monsur, Nandini Anandu

Additional Staff Members: T. Fitzgerald, L. Sabia

Tri-States Steering

Administrative Chair: T. Callahan

Community Members: N/A

Additional Staff Members: L. Ribeiro, T. Fitzgerald, J. Sebalos, T. Wilson

Literacy

Administrative Chair: M. Thompson, J. Carr

Community Members: Laura Baber, Ruth Konigsberg, Todd Toaso

Additional Staff Members: S. Llewellyn

K-12 Innovation

Administrative Chair: S. Garcia

Community Members: EJ Sepp, Marie-Louise Cremer, Elizabeth Herbert-Wesson, Paula Wood

Additional Staff Members: J. Sebalos, M. Thompson, T. Callahan, T. Fitzgerald, S. Gilbert, T. Wilson, S. Llewellyn

International Baccalaureate

Administrative Chair: S. Llewellyn, J. Rothstein

Community Members: Ossie Gamaldo, Eva Badowska

Additional Staff Members: S. Garcia, L. Sabia, J. Clark, M. Thompson, T. Callahan, E. Farrell, G. Lau

Board of Education Meetings

The Board will publish an annual document describing their protocols and practices related to the functioning of the meetings.

The Board will emphasize planning, policy making, and public relations rather than becoming involved in the micro management of the schools.

The Board will set clear goals for themselves and the Superintendent. The Board and Superintendent will set clear goals for the Pelham Public Schools.

The Board will review its behavior by yearly self-evaluation and by addressing itself to any individual problems, such as poor meeting attendance or breaches in confidentiality.

Board meetings are for decision making, action, and votes, not unnecessary discussion. Board members should make an effort to pose questions that they have to any of the central office administrators in advance of the Board meeting. When such questions are posed vie email, Board members should copy the Superintendent and President. When posed verbally, the Superintendent and President should be notified. Board members may also use the shared google doc to pose meeting questions prior to Agenda Setting meetings.

The Board President will decide how consent agenda items will be taken at the meeting in advance. The Board President will manage public comment at meetings.

Board members may access the District Clerk as a resource to obtain information.

With Superintendent of Schools

The Board President is the primary contact of the Superintendent of Schools. As such, it is expected that the Superintendent shall maintain regular communication with the Board President on matters of importance.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to maintain regular communication with all members of the Board of Education.

The Superintendent will provide the Board with a detailed update of items of importance via the weekly letter. Board members will be responsible for reading the update/packet and contacting the Superintendent with any questions.

The Superintendent will use email as a tool to provide information to the full Board of Education.

The Superintendent will immediately inform the Board of major issues pertaining to student matters (medical emergencies, arrests, significant altercations, etc.). This may be done through email or telephone.

Any Board member may contact the Superintendent at any time regarding issues or questions. Emails regarding Board business should be copied to the Board President. Replies from the Superintendent should also include a copy to the Board President.

The Superintendent and Board President will meet on a regular basis to plan Board meeting agendas and items for discussion with the full Board of Education.

With Board Members

Communication should flow from Board President to members and vice versa.

All pertinent issues brought to individual Board members from community members should be raised with the Board President.

Relevant emails of concern should be forwarded to the Board President.

The Board President will be responsible for communicating and/or sharing information to the full Board.

Board members will refrain from detailed discussion about any Board business or decision making via email.

Central Administration

All Assistant Superintendents will provide a brief update that will be sent to the Board in the weekly packet prior to Board meetings with all corresponding back-up materials. All issues should be referenced and explained so that the issue could be put into its proper context.

Board members will have the prerogative to call an Assistant Superintendent to ask clarifying questions. Board members will use their judgment when contacting central office administrators. The Superintendent and President should be notified when such calls are placed or copied when inquiries are made via email.

Questions regarding process or more substantial issues should be brought to the Superintendent with a copy to the Board President for follow-up.

Central Office administrators will have a responsibility to include all supporting information from Committee meetings to the full Board.

All items for Board action will be presented to the Board the week prior to the meeting whenever practicable.

Agenda Setting meetings will be held with the Superintendent, President, Vice President, and an additional trustee on a rotating basis prior to all meetings for the purpose of clarifying questions and information as needed so that efficient discussion and decision-making can occur at the meeting. Board members should communicate questions to the Superintendent or President prior to agenda setting meetings to facility timely responses from administration. Board members may also submit questions prior to agenda setting on the shared google doc.

All communication with building level administrators will go through the Superintendent.