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Newark School board meets The school board met last night, and the teachers say they are working fine with the district administration. NTA President Ellie Molnar reminded the board that over the past few years, the Newark Teachers Association has lived up to the commitment to attend board meetings. She was prepared to dispel any rumors of a rift between the NTA and the school district. 'We are committed to work together for the good of the community.' said Molnar. Kim Ward, an administrative intern with the Newark School district, gave a presentation that described the role of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The NBPTS is a certification board, that Ward described as a 'true merit system.' This process certifies teachers so that, like professionals in other fields, teachers can achieve distinction by meeting rigorous standards. Ward stressed that the certification is local and voluntary with 3000 currently certified nationally. Ward encouraged the board to support the effort. West Miller Street safety: The board, in preparation for a change of the West Miller St. building to house grades 2-5, read a letter from Newark Police Chief Richard Bogan outlining items concerning student safety. Proposed is a curb cut, 120 feet long, 10 feet deep, for the discharge and pick-up of students, flashing lights to better identify the 15 mile per hour speed zone, and continued enforcement of the speed zone. Bogan reminded the board that the village board has already forbidden the discharging of passengers on the north side of West Miller St. Superintendent of Schools Robert Christmann revealed that the 2000-2001 Pre-Kindergarten program has been funded by the state allowing for 60 children to participate at five area locations. This is the third year for the Pre-K program. John Strait, recently elected to the School Board, was introduced at the meeting. Board President David Howard introduced Strait, explaining that it has been the policy for several years for new members to be invited to sit in at board meetings and executive sessions until they take office in July. District technical experts Jim Dorn and Tedd VanDuyne reported on the continued efforts to update and improve the district's Web site. Many questions and scenarios and complex issues were brought up in discussion, concerning legal liabilities, responsibility to input information, and access. Superintendent contract extended. On the agenda was the extension of Supt. Robert Christmann's employment contract. All board members voiced their opinion concerning a motion to extend the contract. All board members agreed that the superintendent's performance was not at issue, but the length of the contract was. Nancy Rohlin supported Superintendent Robert Christmann, indicating that he had met expectations and the five-year term was indicative of that. Russ Harris felt that the extended contract is a feature of the superintendent's contract and wished all employees had this type of commitment. Board members Jasper, Honness and Snow are not in favor of the five-year contract. Howard, Rohlin, Wheeler, and Harris voted to extend the contract, and Jasper, Honness and Snow voted against it. Board business: * The board was assured by contractors that any and all damage done to Perkins Park, as part of the capital construction will be repaired. * The annual reorganization meeting will be Saturday, July 1, at 9 a.m. at the Kelley School. * David Howard was nominated for a seat on the board of directors of Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. * Board approved the establishment of the Karl F. and Mildred J. DeMay Music Scholarship. Copyright
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