We're on the move to academic excellence

Lee A. Bordick
Interim Superintendent

Gregory Giammarco
Business Administrator

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT - LEE A. BORDICK

I am honored to welcome you to the 2010-11 school year.  The Ichabod Crane Central School District has a statewide reputation for providing an excellent educational program for its students.  I look forward to continue the traditions of working with parents, teachers, administrators, and the Board of Education to increase student achievement and to provide a broad range of extra-curricular activities and athletic programs for Ichabod Crane students. 

Public forums are planned during the month of October for the purpose of engaging the community in a dialogue regarding the future direction of the school district.  We welcome and encourage input from members of the community regarding improving efficiencies while maintaining and enhancing the educational program.

As Superintendent, Mr. Dexter made an important contribution to the school and community. Determining his long-term replacement will be one of the most important decisions made by the District.  As the Interim Superintendent, I intend to fully participate in every aspect of the school community and welcome the opportunity to meet the students, parents, staff, and members of the community. 

I encourage parents to continue to be in contact with school personnel throughout your child's school career.  Our staff is dedicated to provide the best educational experience possible for the children who attend our schools.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the District's programs, operations, or policies, please feel free to contact me at 758-7575, Ext. 3002.  I am very pleased to be part of the Ichabod Crane school community.

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Ichabod Crane Seeks Resident Interest in Filling Vacated Position on Board of Education

Ichabod Crane Central School Board of Education has announced the resignation of Board member, Gary Bagnato, effective Sept. 15, 2010.  Mr. Bagnato’s term was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2011.

Residents of the District interested in being considered for an appointment to the vacated seat for the remainder of Mr. Bagnato’s term are asked to submit a letter of interest and resume to Mindy M. Potts, District Clerk, Ichabod Crane Central School, PO Box 820, Valatie, NY  12184.  The deadline for submission of letters is Wed. Sept. 29, 2010. 

Criteria for a member of the Board of Education are as follows:

  1. Must be able to read and write
  2. Must be a qualified voter of the district
  3. Does not necessarily have to be a taxpayer
  4. No more than one member of the family shall be a member of the same board of education in any school district
  5. No employee of a board of education may be a member of such board
  6. Potential board members must have been a resident in the district for at least one year prior to election
  7. A school board member may not hold two incompatible public offices simultaneously

For additional information pertaining to the Board of Education, contact Ms. Potts at 758-7575, Ext. 3001.

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CYBER-SAFETY AWARENESS

Today’s youth and their parents face a number of challenges.  Many of these challenges are similar to the issues we encountered during adolescence, while others are new and unique to this generation.  One such issue is the prevalence of digital media, specifically, the 24/7 access that many children have to e-mail, the Internet, and social networking Web sites such as Facebook, etc.

As community leaders, the ichabod Crane Cergy Association, The Ichabod Crane PTA, and the Ichabod Crane School District have developed an initiative to bring greater attention to this issue and the negative implications when technology is not used correctly, or when children are not properly supervised using the technology.  Issues such as sexting, online contact with unknown adults, and cyber bullying are on the increase. These are issues that we face each day in the schools and in the community.   Unfortunately, this appears to be a growing problem, and we are all concerned about the significant and dangerous implications for our youth.

In an effort to better address this community issue, the Ichabod Crane Clergy Association, Ichabod Crane Middle School PTA, and the Ichabod Crane Central School District have met with community leaders of student/youth organizations and formed a committee to bring a greater awareness of the prevalence of this issue; to help children develop an understanding of the serious consequences they may encounter from the school, law enforcement, District Attorney, or from strangers when this technology is used inappropriately; to explore the moral and character issues surrounding the inappropriate use of technology; and to develop a community-wide action plan to address the issue.

Visit this Web site for further information on this initiative.

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Ichabod Crane’s Energy Conservation Program Continues to Achieve National ENERGY STAR® and ENERGY STAR® LEADER Awards

$678,405 saved by the school district

 The Ichabod Crane Central School District is pleased to announce for the fourth consecutive year that the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Program has bestowed the prestigious ENERGY STAR® Label on all five of its school buildings. This recognition is presented to the most energy efficient schools in the country. Ichabod Crane is the only school district in New York State to earn the ENERGY STAR® label for each building for four consecutive years.

The District also has announced that once again, it has been named as an ENERGY STAR® Leader by the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Program, and is considered a “Top Performer.” This prestigious recognition is presented to the most energy efficient school districts in the country.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s energy conservation ratings, Ichabod Crane is in the top quartile of performance for all school districts nationwide and has the highest average score of any district in New York State that has participated in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Energy Smart Schools Program.

“We are extremely pleased to receive this recognition from ENERGY STAR®,” said Ichabod Crane Central School Superintendent James Dexter. “Our energy conservation efforts are saving taxpayer dollars and help our local environment by reducing our carbon footprint by 9,927 metric tons. The District has reduced total electricity use by 20.1% and total fuel oil use by 15.5%.   We are proud of the staff’s response to the challenge of reducing energy consumption and that these efforts have been recognized by ENERGY STAR®.”

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ICHABOD CRANE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
Demographic/Enrollment Study to Help Identify Trends

The Ichabod Crane Central School Board of Education reviewed the report of a long-term enrollment study conducted by Dr. Paul Seversky at its meeting on October 6, 2009. The study contains information about future enrollment trends and is designed to assist the District with long-term planning for instruction, facilities and finances.

The study reviewed demographic data, including recent birth statistics and other information about the Ichabod Crane community to develop the estimated enrollment patterns for the next 10 years.

 “This study will provide the District with the information necessary to plan for the future,” stated James Dexter, Superintendent of the Ichabod Crane Central School District. “I look forward to sharing the information in the study with parents, staff, the community and municipalities.”

In the near future, the Board of Education will begin to determine how best to use the information in the study. For more information about the completed study, contact James Dexter at 758-7575, Ext. 3002.
DEMOGRAPHIC/ ENROLLMENT PROJECTION STUDY
October 2009
BUILDING CAPACITY STUDY  
December 2009   

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(April 21, 2010 ) Required Announcement of Conclusion of Review by the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Vocation and Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)

The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Vocation and Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) completed a Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) Transition Compliance Review in the Ichabod Crane Central School District. This review examined the District’s compliance with selected federal and state laws and regulations governing the education of students with disabilities.
The review was conducted by VESID’s SEQA office as well as school district staff. The review process included a review of school records of selected students with disabilities, classroom visitations, and surveys of staff and parents. Meetings of the Committee on Special Education were also observed. A copy of the report may be obtainedfrom the Superintendent's office located in Central Office in Middle School, 2910 Route 9, Valatie, NY 12184

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