Chappaqua BOE Highlights: Retirements, New Website & Race To The Top

Here are some highlights from Tuesday's Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education meeting:

Race To The Top

Superintendent David Fleishman announced that the district had signed off on New York state's application for "Race To The Top" federal funds. It is copetititive grant money, Fleishman said, that can be used for areas such as testing improvement and improving schools, goals for the program.

Fleishman found it interesting that the money was being given to reward school changes. In contrast, he noted the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act's punitive nature for schools that did not perform adequately to the government's criteria.

The district was only given a day and a half to sign off, he said, and they chose to do so to at least see what happens, also citing how little money there is out there.

New Website Coming

The district unveiled a complete overhaul for its main website, ccsd.ws. The new site will have a completely new template and will be powered by new software. It is expected to launch Friday.

Teacher and Staff Retirements

With the school year winding down, the board honored faculty and staff who were retiring and moving on. The following is a full list, provided by the district:

Jerry Wishner, director of special education, districtwide, effective Aug. 31.

Suzanne Novak, foreign language teacher, Horace Greeley High School and Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30.

Anna Reis, foreign language teacher, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30.

Suzanne Michel, foreign language teacher, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30.

Richard Acune, custodian, Horace Greeley High School, effective April 30.

Michael Bierbauer, math teacher, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30.

Joanne Scolaro, librarian, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30.

Andrea Frusciante, elementary education teacher, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 30.

Elizabeth Potenza, teaching assistant, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 30.

Susan Gavejian, teaching assistant, Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School, effective June 30.

Marie Ward, teacher aid, Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School, effective June 30.

Margaret Rubin, teaching assistant, Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School, effective June 30.

Geraldine Burnett, elementary education teacher, Westorchard Elementary School, effective June 30.

Kathleen Holmstrom, elementary education teacher, Westorchard Elementary School, effective June 30.

Margaret Dwyer, elementary education teacher, Westorchard Elementary School, effective June 30.

Laura Gilbert, library assistant, Westorchard Elementary School, effective June 30.

Victor Del Prete, custodial worker, Pole Barn, effective Jan. 29.