A brief summary of what was discussed at last night's meeting for those who want to know what's happening in town, but can't make it to the meetings.
- Four students will be receiving the 2011 Superintendent's Award at a a regional celebration Friday. One student from each middle school and two from the high school were recognized. More to follow on this.
- School District Finance Manager Terry Lumas is being recognized with a Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award. Tyler Technologies created the Munis progam the district implemented 10 years ago to handle all things financial. Terry Lumas was the brains behind the transition to a fully electronic system for streamlining financial processes for Amity. Superintendent John Brady said Lumas saved the district over $80,000 on a $45,000 investment in a seamless way. She'll be attending an all-expense paid trip to the Tyler Technologies User Conference in Nashville, Tenn., in April.
- Amity Middle School Orange teacher Megan Wilson and Amity High Teacher Jonathan Furst are recipients of the Apple Distinguished Educator Award for their work with Apple products in the classroom. Brady called them pioneers and noted that there are only 1500 people in the world who carry Apple's Distinguised Educator designation.
- Just when they thought the financial picture - as dismal as it may be - was set, Brady informed the school board at last night's meeting that there was approximately $250,000 coming to Amity this spring. He suggested the money, a combination of revenues from selling excess heating oil and an increase in the State Department of Education's Excess Cost Grant, be earmarked and spent in six areas. Brady's plan: about $120,000 would replace computers in five computer labs and purchase iPad labs for the middle schools; $25,000 would be put toward a "Black Box Theater" project that will ultimately cost $200,000; $25,000 would be set aside to pay back the $145,000 outstanding liability from the state overpaying the district for a construction project; $18,000 for new scoreboards for the high school gym; $6,000 to hire two part-time assistant coaches for the varsity lacrosse team; and the remainder would be set aside to replace air handling units at the high school. In the end, the technology purchase, the scoreboards and the lacross coaches were approved by the board of education. The board designated $75,000 to cover the cost of air handling units and the rest went into the capital fund.
- The board of education unanimously approved accepting a gift of two automated external defibrillators from the Woodbridge Police Dept. and Athletic Booster Club. They'll be stored at the Field House and in the high school building and staff will be trained to use them in the event of a student or teacher's cardiac arrest.
- High School Principal Charles Britton updated the board on the transition from a seven-period day to an eight-period day. He said that the scheduling is almost complete and that many students asked to add a second world language to their schedule. The number of students interested in science courses, particularly physics, also increased. The goal of the eight-period day will not only help the high school meet a mandated credit-for-graduation requirement, it also allows more opportunities for students. Britton anticipates needing an additional biology teacher.
- The board approved the use of $102,000 to cover the costs of sanding and snow removal this winter. Some money from the grant and oil sell-back was used to offset this cost.
