News From SWW

May 2, 2002 Community Board Meeting Minutes

Date: Mon, 03 May 2002

To: School Without Walls Community Board Members and Friends
From: Dan Drmacich
Re: May 2nd Community Board Minutes

1. Dan explained the current budget crisis situation in Rochester. Most notable is the fact that the Superintendent chose to NOT recommend SWW as a budget cut. Reasons for this could include one or more of the following:

   1. The Supt. actually recognizes and believes that SWW is a vital, critical leader in the educational community.
   2. The Supt. was influenced by one or more School Board members to not cut SWW. Most prominent in that group would be Jim Bowers and Bolgen Vargas.
   3. The Supt. felt the pressure from alumni, parents and others who called his office or Board members. (See Gretchen Van Ness' letter to Janey on separate e-mail.)
   At this point Dan expects to stay in the budget, but will most likely lose one or two staff positions. Right now, the School Counselling position, along with all other secondary school counselling positions, are to be cut. Dan and several students and parents from SWW spoke in favor of NOT cutting the secondary counselling positions at the Weds. night, 5/1, Board meeting.

2. Dan shared some exciting, good news, in that SWW has the only public school RUGBY team in Monroe County. Dave Hughes, a SWW teacher, has organized the team as a school club team. The team has played three games so far; beating McQuaid once, tying them once and defeating another club team from Batavia. As far as we know, this is the first time SWW has engaged in competition against other schools. The McQuaid game last Weds. was truly a sight to behold: The McQuaid team looked like their football team's linebackers and defensive line; several over 200 lbs., with everyone in their preppy black and gold uniforms. The SWW team appeared to be from the United Nations, every possible race and ethnicity represented, and outfitted as ragamuffins. But the SWW Barbarians prevailed. They tied 10-10, and had at least one goal called back. The team asked if the Community Board would fund the team with uniforms that would belong to the school. This would mean 15 players @ $40 each for a total of $600.00. The Community Board voted to approve the cost, subject to School Without Walls being printed on the backs of the jerseys. We felt this was needed for SWW morale and public relations. Also, SWW does not currrenly have the funds to cover the expenses, given the budget crisis.

3. The June 6th Forum on the Hazards of Standardized Testing will take place at MCC, Building 5, Rm. 300, on the 3rd floor. Bill Cala (Supt. of Fairport), Rich Ryan (U of R ) and Dan Drmacich, will speak and respond to questions. Lauren Pivnick, SWW alumna and Chair of the MCC Soc., Anthro., Poli Sci., and History Dept. will moderate. Event starts at 12:00 noon and goes to 12:50. Bldg. 5, is the nearest to Rt. 390 and the County Jail, off East Henrietta Rd.Lauren says we can park in the nearest Student Parking Lot. She will take care of any parking tickets we might receive.

4. We decided to hold-off buying space for Norm Bauer's excellent piece on Standards-based Education Reform, untill the budget-crisis is over. Dan will submit an op ed piece that he and Doug Noble wrote to City News.

We agreed to meet again. How about Thursday, May 30th, 4:30 @ SWW? Please advise.

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