The big item on January 28 agenda for the WW-P Board of Education was an item that comes up every year — the overview of the annual budget discussions. One of the smaller items on the program was one that has not been on the agenda since 2000 — the need to find a new principal at High School North.
Michael Zapicchi, who has been principal at High School North since 2001 (when he replaced Barbara Masonis), has announced his retirement. His last day will be June 30. The search for his successor may take a while. Douglas Eadie, the long-time assistant principal at North, retired earlier this school year. He was replaced by Peter James, who started serving as assistant principal in January.
The work on the proposed 2015-’16 WW-P school budget was announced by assistant superintendent of finance Larry Shanok. Shanok’s budget presentation, which will be the first of many in the next few months, noted that the budget is “primarily used as a planning tool.” A well-designed budget “considers contingencies, manages risk, and needs to be fiscally responsible,” Shanok said. In addition, a budget includes big-ticket and often long-term items, such as capital projects.
Shanok advised that upcoming Board meetings would focus on student enrollment figures and accompanying staffing projections; technology needs and updates; anticipated capital improvements; and other expected changes for the next school year.
According to Shanok public discussions on the budget will be held at the next Board meeting, on February 17, and again at the March 10 meeting. The Board will also vote on whether to approve the tentative budget at the March 10 meeting. The tentative budget will be submitted to Mercer County on March 20.
The Board members will then conduct a public budget review on March 24, and a third public budget meeting on the Budget will be held on April 28. The Board will formally adopt the budget on May 12 and send the approved budget to the state on May 14.
The upcoming PARCC assessments were again discussed at the meeting. West Windsor resident Virginia Manzari requested that “the district come up with a ‘respectful and compassionate policy’ for students who wish to ‘opt out’ from taking the PARCC exam.” Manzari explained that, based on information given at some of the district PARCC presentations, it appeared that students who refuse to take the test will have to “sit and stare” at a blank computer screen during the proctoring of the exam, which, Manzari speculated, might be a violation of the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) laws.
Superintendent David Aderhold responded, stating that the district has never used a “sit and stare” policy, and will allow students who are “refusing” to take the test to read in the testing room, which is not a HIB violation. He further noted that the district was working hard to schedule the tests to minimize disruption to normal coursework.
Said Board President Tony Fleres: “We are all doing our best. This test is new to everyone.”
In other actions, the Board voted to approve the district’s semi-annual HIB report, as required by state law; and renewed the professional services agreement with district auditors Wiss and Company LLP, to perform the audit for the 2014-’15 school year, at a cost of $81,850 plus reimbursable expenses. The Board also approved the purchase of a new technology emergency generator at High School North from DEE-EN Electrical Contracting for $163,000.
Testing Views Sought. Parents seeking to air their views on the new Common Core standards and the statewide PARCC exams can speak before the state’s Study Commission on the Use of Student Assessments at a public testimony session Thursday, February 19, at 10 a.m. at Camden County College in Blackwood. The original January 27 session was canceled because of the snowstorm. To register visit www.state.nj.us/education/studycommission or call 609-984-6024.
The Study Commission is a task force set up by the governor to evaluate student testing, Common Core standards, and the use of student data. A final report is expected July 31.
The WW-P district will host an information session about PARCC geared toward parents of special education students on Wednesday, February 18, at 7 p.m. at High School South.
Public testimony should be limited to 5 minutes per person, and the Commission asks individuals to bring 10 copies of their testimony for distribution to Commission members. To testify or to attend pre-register online at www.state.nj.us/education/studycommission or by calling 609-984-6024. Testimony can also be submitted via E-mail at studycommission@doe.state.nj.us or online at www.state.nj.us/education/studycommission/contact.shtml
