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Special meeting results in no change for students
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At the regular meeting of the Three Village Board of Education on June 9 the trustees voted to alter the end-of-year class schedule to require elementary students to attend a half-day of classes on Friday, June 26. The last half day of classes had originally been scheduled for the previous day, and Friday set aside for a teacher conference day. Teachers and their union were reportedly angered by the last-minute change.
Trustee Jonathan Kornreich requested a special meeting of the Board to revisit the issue. At 6 pm on Wednesday, June 17, a quorum of the Board met at the adminstration building on Nicolls Road. With Board President John Diviney not yet present — he arrived at 6:15 pm — Trustee Frank McIntosh called the meeting to order and invited Kornreich to explain the reason for the meeting.
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| Elementary school children are expected to attend half-day classes on Thursday, June 25, and Friday, June 26. |
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"I didn't realize we were changing a long-term practice," Kornreich said of the altered schedule. He complained that the board was getting its information "in dribs and drabs" and said trustees may have not had all the facts before voting for the change. Kornreich said there was confusion over the count of instruction days delivered to the elementary students. "We're actually at 181 days," he said. A total of 180 days of instruction is required by the state Education Department. Kornreich added that "many important tasks on the last day of school" are completed by the teachers who are in a classroom without students.
Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services Cheryl Pedisich agreed. She said "textbook returns, clean and file" paperwork and other "closure activities" are typically performed by teachers on the student-less last day of the school year. "As long as I've been here that's how it has been done," she said.
"Obviously no instruction is going on there," said Kornreich, referring to the last half day students are in the classroom.
"I'll stop you right there," interrupted McIntosh. He argued that it is in the best interest of the students to have that last half-day with their teachers and classmates. McIntosh then added, "I'm offended that you called this special meeting."
"We should reconsider in light of new information," said Kornreich.
"The facts haven't changed for me." replied McIntosh.
After more give and take between the two trustees, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Jeff Carlson tried to explain state law regarding what counts as a "day of instruction." Carlson also went into an extended explanation of how many days were included in the Three Village school calendar. He said there were 177 "actual school days" and four teacher conference days that counted toward the state requirement, totaling 181 — "if next Friday conforms to this criteria." Pedisich assured the trustees present that the Friday in dispute would satisfy the state requirements.
"If there are students in the building on Friday," Kornreich said, "teachers are precluded from doing some of their tasks."
At this point Trustee Diane Peritore asked, "Should we adjourn?"
President Diviney made the motion and, although there was no obvious vote, the nodding heads around the conference table agreed and the meeting ended at 6:31 pm.
Trustees Diviney, Kornreich, McIntosh, Peritore and Glen Whitney attended. Trustees David Micklos and Carol Leister were absent.
Three Village Teachers Association President Claudia Reinhart said through a spokeswoman she did not attend the meeting Wednesday and would have no comment.
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