$ 213,129.00 x 3

In July we applied for a State wide grant entitled “School District Management Efficiency Competitive Grant program. On Tuesday I was notified that Mineola is one of 16 school districts across the State that won this grant.  We are due to receive 213,129 for the next three years if we can continue to demonstrate our savings.  Our application was a narrative of the Mineola School District’s configuration.  It documented our journey, our savings to date and the ability to maintain (and add) academic programs.  The Board and I are happy to bring this additional revenue to our school district.  I will present additional information and some ideas for spending the money at the next Board Meeting on Thursday December 6.

Making Up days after the Storm

At last night’s Board of Education meeting the Board approved my recommendations to modify the school calendar to make up for the 6 days (7 in the HS) lost due to Hurricane Sandy.  Unfortunately it means that we must shorten the February break.  I am truly sorry for any inconvenience and hardship that you might incur due to this decision.  Obviously this was a difficult decision and there are not a lot of options.   While the Commissioner of Education can waive this rule districts MUST exhaust any and all ‘vacation’ days before any waiver is granted. https://stateaid.nysed.gov/attendance/180_day_reminder_013111.htm

 The reasoning is as follows:

• The State requirement to receive State Aid is 180 days.  Superintendent conference days are included in the 180
• Mineola has 182 instructional days and 2 Superintendent conference days = 184
• So technically we are 4 days “over” the State aid requirement
• Right now- ASSUMING there are no more snow days – we can met the 180 requirement as follows:
  • 182 instructional days + 1 Sup’t  conference day (August 28) = 183
  • Hurricane Sandy 5 days and 1 Snow day = minus 6 days
  • Now at 177.  ADD
    • November 6 as instructional day = 178
    • Claim snow day (May 24) back     = 179
    • Take March 25 as a school day     = 180
    • Move the November 6 Sup’t conference day to June 24 = 181- This would account for the HS non-attendance on Monday November 5
    • Issues-
      • Right now the 2 school days in August do NOT count toward the 180 requirement
        • We have formally asked for a change in this decision
• There is no ‘wiggle room’.   If we have another snow day we will need to take another day
• Decision:
  • Shorten the February break and declare the other days as snow days
  • Eliminate the second Superintendent conference day
    • Reasoning:
      • I do believe we will have additional snow days this year
• Therefore- as of today Schools will be OPEN on:
  • May 24^th
  • February 22
  • February 21 (this maintains 180 instructional days)
• The following are snow make-up days.  Schools are closed unless we need a make-up: 
  • February 20
  • February 19
  • If it snows between February and March we might need to claim March 25
  • Post April 2, we will apply for the waiver from the commissioner.

After Sandy

On Thursday at the Board of Education meeting I will be reviewing some of my observations of how the storm impacted the district.  I also will ask the Board to consider some recommendations.  Here is my list; please add to my items of add any I may have missed.

Communications- Obviously the most critical item during any crisis. 

Issues:  Power loss and Internet loss.

Difficulties- School messenger calling system requires an internet connection as well as a phone line.  If you do not have both you cannot use the system.  Since the Network Operation Center (NOC) and my home lost power it was very difficult to send calls out.  On Tuesday I went to the local Starbucks (which was closed) and accessed their internet from outside the store.  It worked fine.  The next day when the store opened hundreds of people were using the Wireless access point and I was unable to send the message.  After repeated cell phone calls to Catherine I finally got through and she was able to send the message for me.

Recommendations:  

• I am suggesting the District purchase a 4g service for an existing ipad for emergency purposes.   This would provide internet capabilities on a district device to send school messenger calls
• The district needs to explore a secondary (emergency) source for internet services.  Right now we are part of BOCES BoTie and are dependent on them for connectivity.  If they lose connection, we lose connection.  Having a back-up will maintain school email and provide additional communication.

Power-   I do not think it is feasible or cost effective to install generators in all of our buildings.  I do think critical areas do need generators.  The NOC is a good example.  Since our phones, internet and data all reside in one spot it makes sense to have a generator in case of emergencies.  Coupled with the communication recommendations this would make the NOC the “command center” for the district.  In theory all of the items that failed during the storm would have back-ups thereby keeping critical communication aspects up and running.

Gas-  We do not have a dedicated place to fuel district vehicles.  Some districts have their own pumps, we do not.  We contract with a company called “fuel man” that issues credit cards for our drivers to refuel. It is a cooperative bid that several district use.  In the case of buses, very few stations are big enough to accommodate 40 foot buses and will accept the Fuel man card. We currently refuel on Jericho Turnpike and Brush Hollow Road in Westbury (6 miles one way).   I would like to begin conversations with the village to explore the possibility of using their pumps (if the buses could fit).  If that cannot work I would then explore joining other districts to enter a contract with a more centrally located station.

Bus Stop Changes

In addition to changes made last week; please note the following:

• Oak Ridge Lane and Netz place moves to Oak Ridge Jane and WoodHollow
• Branton Place and Dorset Ave. AND Lynton Road and Dorset Avenue move to Devon and Dorset Avenue
• Broad and Yale move to Broad and Syracuse
• Juniper Ave and Old Country Road move to Holly Ave and Old Country Road

Please remind your children to stay away from down or low hanging wires.  Bus Drivers will find the children they should NOT wait at any stop with a down or low hanging wire.

Schools Closed Thursday November 8

A lot of snow on roads making transportation difficult and unsafe.  We also experienced some power loss.  We are hopeful everything will be clear fro Friday.

2 Hour delay (Pending power)

Due to snow and icy conditions we will have a two-hour delay tomorrow morning. Students should report to bus stops 2 hours after the normally would or arrive at school 2 hours after they normally would.  There will NOT be any AM Pre-k classes.  This is pending that we have continue to have power in all of our buildings.  If the power situation changes I will make another call in the morning. Travel safe and stay warm!

Upcoming Events (re-scheduled)

The following are a few changes that impact our high school students:

• SATs have been rescheduled to Saturday, November 17.  ETS/Collegeboard will notify the students who were originally scheduled to take the exam on Saturday, November 3. 
• The fall play, The Diary of Anne Frank, has been rescheduled to Friday, November 30 at 7:30 PM, and Saturday, December 1 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
• The Girls Volleyball team has a play-off game scheduled for Saturday, November 10 at 4:00 PM at Mineola High School.
• The Varsity Football play-off game v. Seaford is on Saturday, November 10 at 1:30 PM at Seaford High School. 

Balancing Act

Leadership is a constant balancing act.  We need to weight the needs of the families we serve but equaling as important are the people that work for us.  Mineola has just over 600 employees; many have incurred serious hardship from Hurricane Sandy.  As I went to each building yesterday the number of children still without power seemed to be low, while the number of staff members was much greater.  It makes sense since our staff travel from all over the island to work in Mineola UFSD.  But the devastation has been great.  At last count 13 staff members have been displaced from their homes; in many cases all of the possessions were lost.  One teacher went into labor two days after Sandy destroyed her home.  In another case a teacher was in a serious car accident because the traffic lights were out.  School systems are giant extended families and some of our family needs help.  Let’s remember that as we head back to school this week.  While things may be getting back to normal for many of us that won’t be the case for some us.  I still don’t have power or heat.  It doesn’t seem like such a big deal in the scheme of things.

Monday Update

Power has been restored to the High school therefore we will have a regular school day for ALL of our students.  Over 90% of our staff arrived at schools today despite personal and logistical issues.  I would like to thank them for their dedication on behalf of our students. 

 Some reminders for tomorrow:

• We will have after school activities but NO LATE BUSES will run
• All voters will have designated entrances and WILL NOT be near students
  • At Meadow voters will enter the music room from the South exterior door and not be able to enter the building anywhere else
  • At Hampton voters will use the new library space and not be allowed to enter the building
  • At Jackson voters will use the gymnasium and will be directed in and out through the main entrance
  • At the Middle School voters will use the Auditorium ad Mr. Gaven will provide details for a modified arrival and dismissal
  • We will have security on duty to insure voters do not enter spaces that children occupy
  • Buildings will remain open afterschool  to support children still without power

We will monitor gas, weather, facility and personnel issues as they arise.  If I need to disseminate any further information I will do so.  Stay safe and warm.

Sunday Update

Sunday November 4, 2012 Update 4:30pm

• High School closed tomorrow.  Students remain home
• All staff please report to HS at 7:30am
• All BOCES will be closed
• Following bus stops need be changed:
  • South of Horton Highway and Garfield all report to Horton Highway and Garfield
  • Musmung and Willis please report to Musmung and Nassau
  • All stops on Burkhart move to same corner of Horton Highway
• We will be serving limited hot lunch in all of the buildings
• All afternoon activities are cancelled
• Buildings will remain open for families after school
• All staff that will experience difficulties reporting to work please contact your principal.