Archive: News

Communication, or the lack of it, was the main issue at Tuesday's Ithaca City School Board meeting. Several people from Belle Sherman Elementary School protested the new rotational schedule for art, music, and physical education.  Art teacher Iris Millich noted that the schedule doesn’t allow for the differences among the three disciplines, and does not, as promised, reduce the time students spend away from class. She also objected that the teachers were not included in the decision. Other parents and teachers added their agreement.

Jill Firman of the Belle Sherman PTA noted that the schedule is developmentally inappropriate for young children, and suggested that the administration wait to implement the new rotational schedule until the 2011-2012 school year. Beth Gerrard, also of the Belle Sherman PTA, followed up on Firman’s speech by presenting a petition with 252 signatures.

Board member Josh Bornstein responded by asking “what’s the role of the principal in these concerns?” He asked that the Belle Sherman issues be discussed with the school principal before bringing them to the board.


Susan Mittler, President of the Ithaca Teachers Association, then reported that she had recently spent time in Albany and in Washington, DC, trying to understand and change the budgeting for schools. “I made my best efforts, and left a message with everyone, but I have nothing positive to say,” she reported. She also noted that she and the teachers are “working hard on collaboration and communication, but it feels very top down; not interactive, not equitable.” The teachers, she said, don’t feel that the administration respects their knowledge and input.  “Even it this is only their perception, it’s a problem,” she concluded.

Mittler added that she has been working hard on the retirement incentives for the teachers. Board member Beth Kuntz thanked the teachers who had considered the retirement package and the 45 who took it. “It’s extremely helpful to the district as a whole, even though we’re losing some wonderful teachers,” she said.

Ithacans will vote on the ICSD budget on May 18. Voters received a copy of the proposed budget in their mail.
 
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