Board discusses Common Core and test refusals; school budget unanimously approved

Common Core

How does the Board feel about Common Core tests? That’s what Allyson Matwey of Wading River asked at last night’s Board of Education meeting.

“It’s very hard for me to say, yes we need to keep the tests in perspective when there’s so much riding on these tests, for our teachers, for our kids, for our schools. I’m just wondering if any of the board members would like to speak to that,” Matwey said.

“As a board we understand everything that’s coming down with APPR and the state assessments. We understand how parents and teachers feel,” Susan Koukounas, Vice President of the Board of Education said. “We cannot take a position on the state assessments. We’re bound by that.” Koukounas added that each of the members of the board have their personal opinions on the matter.

Teachers are afraid for their jobs, Matwey stated. “Think about it, a 25-year veteran teacher who gets developing because of a state test, it may not affect their livelihoods, but it certainly will affect their self esteem,” Matwey said.

Matwey also expressed her concern that the environment in the classroom is going to diminish as teachers feel the pressure of 50 percent of their evaluations based on student’s test score, noting the loss of a science fair in Riley as well, “there’s no celebrating science, it’s just gone.”

“I applaud the 26 percent we had to refuse today, and I am hoping for higher numbers for the math [math testing begins next week] just to make a statement, and say look, it’s not ok what you did,” Matwey said.

“We’re going have the highest refusal rates across Long Island. And, I think that’s the message we need to send to the state,” Matwey said, which evoked applause from those in attendance.

“I also take and oath, as does the board, that we will abide by the regulations of the commissioner of education; and one of those regulations is that we administer state assessments every year. So, as a district we administer them,” Carney explained.

“I do not believe teachers or students should be judged effective on an assessment. I’ve always been a believer in using performance based, project based assessments for students – all students are different learners. So assessments should be different. State assessments are valid for us as a district to look at how our students are doing compared to other students around the state,” Carney said adding that the district respects a parent’s right to opt out of the testing.

Eagle Scout recognized

Eagle Scout Anthony Mammina was recognized for his Eagle Scout project which provided recycling bins for use on the district’s athletic fields. The four recycle bins have been widely used since they were constructed last school year. See previous article:

School budget approved

The Board of Education unanimously approved a $125,909,672  operating budget with no objections.

The budget represents an increase of 3.81 percent over 2014-2015 with a tax levy increase of 3.94 percent, or $3,688,36.  The budget vote is scheduled for May 19.

Sal Mastropaolo of Calverton asked if there was an increase in voter turnout since the district added polling locations in multiple schools in the district. While Carney stated that she didn’t know those numbers off the top of her head, she noted that the polling locations were added as a convenience to the residents, having them closer to where people lived noting that the district has four polling locations, Phillips Avenue School, Aquebogue Elementary, Riley Avenue Elementary and the High School.

Susan Koukounas noted that it is difficult to discern whether the additional polling locations have increased voter turnout because turnout in general has decreased since the Governor’s tax cap initiative was approved.

Future Budget Presentations

• April 21 – Roanoke PTO budget presentation at 6:30 p.m.
• April 22 – Riverhead Rotary Budget Presentation at 12:15 p.m.
• April 29 – Pulaski PTO budget presentation at 7 p.m.
• April 30 – Riley PTO budget presentation at 7:30 p.m.
• May 1 –
Bayview Pines Civic Association budget presentation at 6:30 p.m.• May 4 – Middle School PTO budget presentation at 7 p.m.
• May 6 – Phillips PTO budget presentation at 6:30 p.m.
• May 9 – Jamesport Civic Association budget presentation at 10 a.m.
• May 11 – Flanders, Northampton, Riverside Civic Association budget presentation at 7 p.m.
• May 12 – Public Hearing on the proposed budget
• May 13 – Greater Calverton Civic Association budget presentation at 7 p.m.
• May 14 – HS PTSO budget presentation at 7 p.m.
• May 18 – Aquebogue PTO budget presentation at 7 p.m.
• May 19 – Budget Vote (6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at local polling locations)