Babylon School Board, 2003-04

Anne Marie Martino and Janet Lipman were reelected president and vice president respectively of the Babylon Schools Board of Education at the July 8 reorganization meeting. Both were reelected to their posts unanimously.

Other board of education committee appointments included: Finance: Mary Larsen (chair) and Gary Repetto; Technology: Janet Lipman (chair) and Darrell Conway; Policy: Barbara Keneally (chair) and Janet Lipman; Buildings and Grounds: Thomas Melito (chair) and Barbara Keneally: Building Liaisons: Mary Larsen (Junior-Senior High School); Darrell Conway (Grade School); Janet Lipman (Elementary School).

Both Martino and Lipman said they hope for a smooth school year and smooth transition of the second grade from the Grade School to the new wing at the Elementary School. Although other construction at the Elementary School, like the gymnasium, will not be completed by this September, the new second grade wing will be ready and waiting for students, according to Superintendent William Bernhard PhD.

Superintendent William Bernhard Ph.D outlined the district's proposed goals for the 2003 - 2004 school year at the July 21 board of education regular meeting. These goals, which represent changes in instruction, management, and technology, are still under discussion and the board will most likely move to adopt final goals as the new school year begins.

Briefly, the district hopes to bring 80 percent of its fourth grade students up to the third or fourth scoring level on the state's Standard English Language Arts assessment. This past year, the district's scores fell just a bit with 71 percent of its fourth grade students achieving a score level of three or four.

Similarly, the district hopes to improve scores in the eighth grade math state assessment test. Statewide, schools have noted a decline in intermediate level math performance. To counteract this, the district suggests a more "articulated math curriculum" for grades five through eight. "We want to make sure the curriculum is aligned, it's consistent, and gets more complex," said Dr. Bernhard.

The district is also investigating an innovative approach to teaching Junior-Senior High social studies called authentic reading. This approach does not rely solely upon textbooks, but brings readings of historic documents, biographies, and other historical non-fiction pieces into the classroom.

The formation of a district-wide Health and Safety Committee, piloting the use of student laptop computers, and student security ID cards are other goals on tap.

The board next meets on Monday, August 25 for its regular monthly meeting at 8:15 p.m. in the high school library.