The November 12 Board of Education meeting had by far the largest number of public participants of any meeting so far this year. The meeting started off with Jim Yaggie, a former scholastic coach, commenting that “Football is in crisis mode.” As football is considered to be unfavorable to both students and their parents today due to the risks that follow with the sport, the football team is having trouble with recruiting members. He asked the board for support in advertising football to our community, and further expressed concerns about the facility issue the team will face once the capital project construction starts. Yaggie mentioned that they are currently hosting events to save the sport, which will engage families as active marketers for joining the team. Members of the board acknowledged the problem and assured him that they would try their best to support the team by informing the public. The first event that the football team will be hosting is the Superbowl viewing party, which will be on the first weekend of February.
The biggest issue brought up by the public, however, was the topic of ICSD retiree health insurance. A few years ago (I think 2ish?), the insurance was changed from the BlueCross BlueShield Health Insurance to Medicare, underwritten by Hartford. However, with this change, some ICSD retirees have been dealing with problems not encountered previously. The new insurance was intended to offer the same benefits for a lower cost, but it seems that some elements previously covered are no longer (covered?). They presented many examples of this, some of themselves, some of their colleagues: an emergency room doctor called to get medication for an ICSD retiree, but was told that the insurance does not cover the medication, an ICSD retiree wished to renew their prescriptions, but was told that they no longer qualified and had to try, and fail, at three other medications. These were just a few of the many worries that the speakers presented. The Board recognized this as a significant issue, and that it would be brought up at the health insurance advisory meeting.
After this, Dr. Brown brought up a recently published Newsweek article, pertaining to the rankings of schools in the STEM field. In this, IHS is ranked 48 in the nation and ranked 2nd in the state, second only to the Bronx High School of Science.
The Board then proceeded to discuss a new professional development model and curriculum. In a presentation, it was said that the district’s focus continues to be on inclusion, culturally responsive practices, and innovation. This new professional model will help provide “job-embedded professional support.” This consisted of Master Educators for Inclusion and Instructional coaches for equity, innovation, and inclusion. Together, these two roles are able to help create a different type of teaching that is non-evaluative and student-centered. Mrs. Gray then went on to present on this model in relation to IHS, specifically the science department, where it has already been implemented.
After this, advisors of STEP, or the Cornell Science and Technology Education Program, presented on their program. They started by explaining a little about their history: established in 1986, and with IHS for the 5th year, and their aim of supporting underrepresented people in the STEM field. Then, they explained the events and activities they perform throughout the school year, including career exploration, financial aid night, and college trips. Above all this, they presented their plan for the next five years:
- Position STEP as a tool that ICSD can leverage to support equity goals
- Work with school counselors to improve student knowledge of course pathways in STEM
- Sharing student successes and student stories
- Understanding student participation factors and goals
- Expand Internship Opportunities
Afterward, the meeting concluded with a continued discussion on policy. This began with a discussion of the Fire Drill policy, which was last revised in 1974,and whether it was needed at all as it is now part of the Safety Plan. There was then a presentation about the New York State School Board Association Annual Conference by Dr. Brown and Ann Reichlin. At that conference, they explained how the meeting was mostly not controversial with only disagreement regarding e-cigarettes and their regulation in schools. The remaining portion of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of NYS leadership and how Ithaca standards are not state standards.