As the Scotia-Glenville school district gets off to what Superintendent Susan Swartz calls a smooth start, the district is already looking ahead.
Swartz outlined her plans and hopes for the future at the board of education’s first monthly Monday, Sept. 11.
`Our 2006-2007 opening of the school year went extremely well. Our facilities are ready, our transportation is up and running well, our teachers are quite pleased, and the children look happy, but we still have work in front of us,` said Swartz.
Swartz, now in her second year with the district, told the board that her goals are part of a two-year process. She said she is hoping to take the district in a new direction of improvement.
Swartz said that reading and writing is always a priority, and math, science and foreign language goals will also be implemented. Changes in the health curriculum will take place as state mandates go into effect, creating a wellness policy for the district. Students who participate in the school lunch programs can expect to see healthier options.
`Reading and writing never stops being the focus. Now we will be looking at programs such as physical education as part as our wellness policy,` echoed Assistant Superintendent Joseph Cavanaugh.
Swartz said short-term goals include the sensitive issue of redistricting, increased parent in-volvement and program assessment.
The board is hoping to make documents tracking their progress available online so that parents can see what the board is accomplishing.
`I feel that this year the board will really be able to make positive and proactive changes,` said board president Margaret Smith.
District parents can expect to receive information in the coming days about an e-mail system that will allow parents to communicate with school staff and administration.
Other changes will include increasing Regents exams and graduation requirements, the implementation of a `Check for Success` program at the middle school, and a daily foreign language program for seventh grade students.
`Our 2006-2007 goals document tries to capture all the global things we will be able to accomplish. It’s a two-year plan that will allow us to help plan for next year,` said Swartz.“