District schedules forum on proposed secondary schedule, plans expanded music spaces and supports doctoral cohort
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Valente outlined a parent forum on secondary scheduling, described planned reconfiguration of music spaces to create separate band/orchestra and chorus rooms, and recognized staff and students for recent achievements including a doctoral completion and a Carnegie Hall performance.
Superintendent Dr. Valente and administrators outlined plans for community engagement on proposed changes to the district’s secondary schedule and announced space changes to support an expanding music program.
Dr. Valente said the district will hold a community forum for parents about proposed schedule changes for the high school and middle school on Monday, April 28, from 7 to 9 p.m., with student forums to be held during lunch periods. He and board members encouraged attendance and emphasized administrators will take feedback and may tweak the proposal based on input.
On the music program, Dr. Valente said the district is not contracting services away from music but expanding capacity. He said the district will convert the current band/orchestra room and the chorus room into two dedicated band/orchestra rooms and two dedicated chorus rooms, relocating spaces within the middle and high school to relieve cramped facilities and support growing enrollment at the elementary level. Dr. Valente said community updates on room availability and progress will be provided through the spring and at the scheduled community forum.
The superintendent also recognized student and staff achievements: 10 middle school students performed at Carnegie Hall as part of the Distinguished Concert Singers series; Erin Bonner, middle school choir director, introduced the students and described the invitation and invitation to return. Dr. Valente recognized Dr. Joseph Gilson, who recently earned a doctorate from the University at Buffalo, and said the district supports a cohort of staff pursuing professional practice doctorates in partnership with Long Island University.
Administrators said the schedule work is ongoing and recommended the parents attend the forum or the livestream to hear details and ask questions. Board members said the forum will be run by administrators and not by the full board so parents could engage directly with staff; administrators will report back to the board with community feedback.
