What is Happening at C-A?

Recent Highlights of the District

August 25, 2010

 2010-2011 School Year.  All staff members will report for Superintendent’s Conference Days on Wednesday, September 1, and Tuesday, September 7, 2010.  The opening of school for students will take place on Wednesday, September 8, 2010.  Supply lists for students are posted on the web pages of the various schools.

            District At A Glance.        “District At A Glance,” the 2009-2010 Annual Report of the Coxsackie – Athens Central School District, can be found under the link for Curriculum & Instruction.  It showcases the Points of Pride and rising quality of student achievement of the District.

            The Business Review Schools Report.                       The Coxsackie – Athens Central School District has risen in ranking from 54^th in 2009 to 31^st in 2010 among 85 schools in the Capital District region according to The Business Review Schools Report.  “This ranking,” according to Earle S. Gregory, Superintendent of Schools, “can be attributed to the progress the District’s students are making under the Strategic Plan that has been in place for three years.  Board of Education and staff members are delighted with the improvement in student performance over the past several years.”  The report can be read in its entirety at: http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/reports/schools/district_ranks.html?date=2010-05-31&filename=.html

            Race to the Top Winner.            New York was one of nine states and the District of Columbia to win the second – round competition for Federal Race to the Top funds.  The State’s application was stronger than the first round due to raising expectations for the use of data, planning for an enhanced evaluation system of teachers and principals, and raising the cap on the number of charter schools allowed in New York State.  As one of the districts in which the Board of Education and Superintendent signed on to a memorandum of understanding in support of the State’s application, the District looks forward to learning what amount of funding will come to C-A in response to a plan the District will develop.  “These funds will help us to do a better job with kids,” remarked Superintendent Earle Gregory.

          Repair and Renovation Project.           Phase I of the Repair and Renovation Project has been proceeding well throughout the summer months.  The shingled roofing on the High School and a portion of the Middle School has been completed.  Contractors continue work on flat roofs at the High School.  Barring any severe weather conditions, the roofing work should be nearing completion by the start of the new school year.  In addition, the District learned on August 24, 2010, that NYSERDA has given final approval to the Photovoltaic component of the project.  Installation of solar panels should be completed by Thanksgiving, some two to three months ahead of the dates set on the milestone schedule prepared by the architectural firm.

            New York State District Report Card.              The New York State District Report Cards have been released.  The reports include a district profile, district accountability status, and a review of overall district performance.  C-A continues to meet or exceed all 28 accountability measures, and the overall district performance on assessments is at or above the expectations of the State of New York.  To review the district’s report card, any interested person could go to this address:  www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/reportcard/  and go to New York State School Report Card for School Year 2008-2009.

         Retirement of Superintendent of Schools.  The Coxsackie – Athens Central School District’s Board of Education accepted a letter of resignation for retirement from Superintendent of Schools, Earle S. Gregory, on August 24, 2010.  Dr. Gregory will conclude his duties on December 31, 2010.  In a message in which he informed staff members of his pending retirement, Gregory stated, “I will remember my work with Coxsackie-Athens students and staff members for many years.  With the focus brought by the Strategic Plan, children are now receiving a higher quality education under the tutelage of higher quality staff members in what will be higher quality facilities than in the past.  These facts complement the always – present caring C-A school community.”

                        C-AUpdate.             The C-AUpdate, an electronic newsletter, premiered on May 1, 2010.  If any member of the community has not received a copy, please feel free to contact Mrs. Judy Zoller, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent at jzoller@coxsackie-athens.org or at 731-1710 and provide an e-mail address to which a copy could be sent.