Wallkill Valley school board, teachers reach deal
HAMBURG — The Wallkill Valley Board of Education and the Wallkill Valley Education Association came to a three-year agreement dating back to the 2014-15 school year, interim Superintendent Robert Walker announced.
The board and teachers agreet to raises of 2.3 percent each year over the terms of the agreement and the district gained a 9-period teacher day. About 45 percent of the teachers were assigned six classes. The school's 2015-16 increased by 50 students.
Walker also said he re-negotiated transportation contracts for 2015-16, saving theh district about $130,000. Walker said the savings allowed the district to be new Italian textbooks and Chromebooks for French and special education classes. Walker said transportation savings will continue as transportation contracts are limited in how much they can increase from year to year.
The district also hired two part-time teachers and two part-time retired police officers to be responsbile for the parking lot and building intruder safety.
Walker said the security officers will wear Wallkill Security shirts and openly carry weapons.
New personnel Jamie O’Grady was selected to be supervisor of Child Study Team and special education. This new position is expected to increase special education teacher effectiveness and team accountability, Walker said. The team provide for the establishment of greater number of in-district programs and reduce the number of students in outside placements.
James Lovett, an entomologist with teaching experience, has been hired as science teacher to replace a teacher who retired.
Andrew Kasa will be physical education teacher will teach sports medicine and serve as athletic trainer.
Jeff Colarusso, who formerly taught, at Hardyston will be Wallkill’s concert and marching Band Instructor. New band uniforms were designed and ordered for 2015
Chris Stefanski joined the district's professionals in January as the technology integration specialist and will serve also as Wallkill’s media specialist.
For the first time we offered regional 8th graders a summer academy enrolling (40) forty 8th grade students in Creative Writing, Band, Glass Works and Cooking.
Advanced studentsThis year, the eighth-grade students who qualified from Hamburg, Franklin and Ogdensburg will take honors algebra at Wallkill Valley.
The new courses of study approved for 2015-16 include sports medicine, psychology, AP art history, AP music, journalism, guitar, physical science and strength training. Wallkill Valley will offer 13 Advanced Placement courses.
Luke Cardinale will introduce a transition learning program, where senior students are placed to work and learn in county businesses. Cardinale has previous experience in establishing a transition program in another school.
Building and grounds improvements
The historic Wallkill had a new barn roof installed and the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department using their SLAPP program, painted the barn, and school hallways. The SLAPP program saved the school approximately $3,000 in labor.
Girls and boys' new dugouts been designed and framed with 4 x 6 timber on concrete piers, sided, shingled by Mike Napovier, Wallkill Teacher of Year, and three students, Austin Mora, Ryan Kostelnik and Albert Wester. They also removed the 30-year-old stage floor and installed a new floor designs for dance.
The first-floor gym bleachers have been replaced along with all fire safety gym doors inside and out.
The parking lot has been repaired, sealed, lined and numbered. Students and teachers will be assigned their own parking space.
Our maintenance and custodial employees has made the building sparkle by replacement of the stair treads, carpets cleaned, hallways waxed and painted.
The grounds and athletic fields have never looked more healthy and safe.