Brief meeting for Board of Ed

The Board of Education met in a 27-minute public session on December 2. 

At the meeting:

— Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Sheboy said the district’s COVID testing program has been going well thanks to its partnership with Cornerstone Family Health. Both he and Board of Education President Anne Lawless reminded families of students and teachers and other district employees to “please stay home if you don’t feel well” to avoid spreading germs. 

“We are seeing an uptick in the COVID positivity rate,” Sheboy said. But at the same time, he said he is looking forward to in-person winter concerts, the high school play and holiday celebrations in the school buildings in the weeks ahead. 

— The donation of five cheerleading mats from Minisink Valley High School was approved. 

— The board accepted the resignation of its director of facilities, Adam Rubin, effective December 15. 

— In other personnel matters: Donna Demarmels was appointed as a school nurse (replacing Sherida Richards) beginning January 3; Esther Yun was appointed as a leave-replacement speech language pathologist from December 15 to June 30 (replacing Jennifer Kimbiz);  leaves of absence were approved for O’Neill High School’s Ryan Monaco and Paul Glotzer, FMES’ Stacey Venzel, and HFIS’ Kathleen Feldi. Also, resignations were accepted for teacher aides Lisa Buchheim and Irini Magonis, and school monitor Frank Gioia.

The board was scheduled to meet in an executive session only meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, and again on Thursday, Dec. 9 for a presentation meeting where Special Education Director Beth Hordines and her team will present.