Coalition for Glen Cove

 

Coalition for Glen Cove

Minutes

Monday, January 30, 2006

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 7:30 PM

Karen Ferguson, the president of the Glen Cove Teachers Association was our guest speaker.  The discussions were about the two-year austerity budget and successfully voting for this year’s budget.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Unfunded:

  • Before NCLB, the testing was in third and eighth grade.  Now, the exams are from third grade to eighth grade.
  • There are three days of each examination (ELA, math, science and social studies).  The students do not have classrooms teachers for speech, resource rooms, libraries, etc.
  • The teachers accomplish three days of examination scoring.  So, each classroom has a substitute teacher.
  • If a school district fails the examinations, the school district does not get funds from the government.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):  Least restricted environment.  There are now no self-contained student classes.  They are in regular classrooms with a special education teacher.

Successfully Voting for the Community School Budget:

  • Public relations committee
  • Last year, there were 3000 people who voted.  Glen Cove has 12,000 voters.  We need to communicate with the other 9000 voters.
  • Mail out the voters and vote “YES” for the school budget.
  • Advertise with the local newspapers.
  • Presentation meetings for the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, etc.

Submitted by Bob Desiano