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Past News

News From 2010-2011

News Articles from Monticello Central Schools

SLE group receives Renaissance award for gardens
BOE appoints new Superintendent of Schools Daniel A. Teplesky
After 14 years, School Business Leader Gladys Baxter says Goodbye
Annual Art Show Overflowing with Talent and Creativity
Two members retire from the Board of Education
Honoring Eugene D. Nesin: Dedication Ceremony Touches the Heart of the School Community

Celebrating Culture and Diversity in the Monticello Central School District

"Google Translate" feature available on this website

MHS German II students sample German cuisine
Students treated to ice cream social
Fifth grade students show their dance moves at the first ever Fifth Grade Dance
Chase students celebrate Flag Day
Chase students compete in Battle of the Books
Fifth graders celebrate DARE graduation
Fourth graders learn to "pay it forward"
KLR Zumba Queens demonstrate the fun of exercise
Information about the confirmed case of TB at Monticello High School
Scholar Athletes Honored by the Board of Education
Spaghetti supper helps bring families together and to school
New Board of Education Member Appointed
Educational Grants Help Support Student Programs
Monticello Schools Board of Education Seeks Candidates to Fill Board Vacancy
Monticello's School and District Accountability Status: How We Are Doing
Monticello School District Receives Statewide Recognition for Quality Communications
Monticello Administrator and Former Staff Member Honored for Excellence
Celebrating Culture and Diversity in the Monticello School District
Students embrace the challenge to treat others with kindness and compassion
Wind Turbine to Save Money and Energy
Chase Kindergarten Kick-off welcomes kids to school
Varsity Baseball Coach Mike Marra appointed to ABCA position
Former BOE member Richard Feller honored by NYSSBA
Opening Day Ceremony filled with Straight Talk about Student Achievement
Monticello High School Joint Intervention Team (JIT) Report (PDF)
Panther Camps Help Ease Transition into New Schools
Superintendent's International Baccalaureate (IB) White Paper
After 75 years, Varsity Football is Back at Monticello
MHS Summer School Graduates Shine with Hope for the Future
Changes to NY State and Regents testing for 2010-11
Letter from the Superintendent about changes to the elementary school transportation zones
NY State Test Scores in ELA and Math Released: Changes in Scoring Create a Decline in Proficiency
Monticello School District Attacking the Achievement Gap
Changes in the NY State assessment ratings will affect proficiency levels
78-year-old Korean War veteran gets his high school diploma
MHS student connects with the Native American culture of the Lakota

In the News: Links to Important Information About Education

Pols, pundits should keep facts straight in education debates (THR 7/20/11)

New APPR Evaluation System for Teachers and Principals: Districts scramble to comply with system that will rank educators on a scale of 1 to 100 (Syracuse)

It's time to get serious about mandate relief (THR)

Waiting for a School Miracle (NY Times)

Teaching Beyond the Test, to Make Room Again for Current Events (NY Times)

Five myths about America’s schools: Challenging everything you think you know (Washington Post)

Mike Rowe's Testimony Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

Bad year down, another to come (THR)

King elected to replace Steiner as state education commissioner (THR)

Upstate schools in ‘deeper hole' - compared with downstate, taxes rise more than budgets (THR)

Changing Education Paradigms (RSA Animate on YouTube)

NY state education boss to leave job by year's end  (Wall Street Journal)

Schools Look to Delay Pain: Albany May Allow Districts to Defer $1 Billion in Payments to Avoid Layoffs, Cuts (WSJ)

Teacher evaluation system would be based in part on student scores on state tests  (Times Union)

uomo Announces Bill Expediting Plans to Implement Objective Performance-Based Criteria for Teacher Evaluation

NY State Education Department (NYSED) Newsroom
National Education Technology Plan (2010)

Information about the National Standards (Achieve)

Potential Revision of High School Graduation Requirements from the NY State College and Career Readiness Working Group READ the REPORT (NYSED)

Is School Funding Fair? CLICK HERE for a National Report Card.

Rhetoric vs. Reality: A Summary and Analysis of the 2011-12 Executive Budget for Education from the NY State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS) CLICK HERE (February 2011)

2011-2012 Budget News - NY State, Regional and Local 

NY State passes 2% Property Tax Cap (Governor's website)

Property tax cap passage signals new era for upstate (Times Union)

Districts all ears as voters head to polls: School budgets top priority (THR)

Availability of Proposed Budgets - as per the NY State Education Department (NYSED)

Lesson in givebacks: In tough financial times, degree of sacrifice varies among teacher unions (Times Union)

Monticello Board of Education adopts 2011-2012 proposed budget (April 11, 2011)
The Board adopted a $77,444,923 budget for the 2011-12 school year. The proposed spending plan represents an increase of 1.92 percent from this year’s operating budget and a projected tax levy increase of 6.47 percent.

Monticello to lay off teachers: Tax levy rises as services are reduced (THR)
"The district has opted for a higher-than-average tax levy increase. Other Sullivan districts targeted around 2 percent. Rhine said that each percentage of the 6.47 tax levy increase represents roughly $450,000, or about five or six jobs."

CLICK HERE to read coverage of Monticello's proposed budget by the Sullivan County Democrat.

CLICK HERE to view an "Analysis of the NY State Budget" by the NY State School Boards Association (NYSSBA)

New York School Districts Challenge State Mandates (NY Times)

NY State Mandate Relief Team Report (3/1/11)

Governor Cuomo's Proposed 2011-12 State Budget (Released 2/1/11) 

2011-12 Executive Budget Summary

CLICK HERE for the 2011-12 State Aid Projections for all school districts in NY.

Audit applauds Sullivan district (THR)

School boards break the law when discussing budget problems in secret (Buffalo News)
Mandate-relief panel to weigh amendment (Buffalo News)
Pay Teachers More (NY Times)
DiNapoli report finds fund balances; Capital Region above average (Times Union)
Board votes to dismiss all Providence teachers / Video (Providence Journal)
Majority in Poll Back Employees in Public Sector Unions (NY Times)
Cap school superintendent pay, gov says (THR)
Cuomo Seeks Cap on School Superintendents’ Pay (NY Times)
Voters have say in what happens to our teachers (THR)
Leader of Teachers’ Union Urges Dismissal Overhaul (NY Times)
Rising Property Taxes Overwhelm Many Who Are Living on the Edge (NY Times)
Cuomo Seeks to Curb Aid to Schools Sharing Tasks (NY Times)
Wells teachers agree to freeze pay for year (Leader Herald)
NY State Releases 2009-2010 School Report Cards (NYSED Press Release)
Viewpoint: Why education is not like business (eSchool News)
A message from Governor Cuomo (2/16/11)
Put the relief back in STAR (Times Union)
A little help with those mandates (Times Union)
Harsh medicine for school district on aid (THR)
Cuomo budget ends the charade (THR)
Governor's budget plan spells out pain (THR)
Cuomo's school aid plan shocks schools (THR)
Governor Cuomo: The Real Albany Sham - The Budget  MORE
Cuomo proposal would set zero percent tax cap for schools

Governor Cuomo's proposals in the State of the State Address could have significant impact on schools MORE

READ "What is the Real Story? New York State is a High Educational Performer" (NYSCOSS Blog by Robert Lowry, Deputy Director of the NY State Council of School Superintendents)
Local district among highest per-pupil cuts in state aid (THR)
A tax cap that works: Massachusetts’ success offers a useful lesson to New Yorkers (Buffalo News)
BOCES is on mission to consolidate services (THR)
Millions in federal aid to NY schools has yet to make impact (THR)
Schools try to keep moving ahead despite cutbacks: Educators more stretched than ever (THR)

In the News: Coverage of Educational issues at the Local, State and Federal Levels

Education and the Economy: Boosting the Nation’s Economy by Improving High School Graduation Rates (all4ed)

Addressing the Needs of the Whole Child: What Public Health Can Do to Answer the Education Sector’s Call for a Stronger Partnership (CDC)

Prompted by turmoil in the Jordan-Elbridge school district, state senator introduces bill to allow recalls of elected officials (Syracuse)
Teachers’ Colleges Upset by Plan to Grade Them (NY Times)
Closing the Achievement Gap Without Widening a Racial One (NY Times)
Schools battle bullying with a host of innovative strategies (THR)
Parents get advice on cyber bullying, social networks (Press Republican)
A property tax balancing act (Times Union)
Test-based teacher review sought (THR)
School districts to get $6 million in Race to the Top money (THR)
Most New York Students Are Not College-Ready (NY Times)
Graduates, but Ill-Prepared (Wall Street Journal)
Obama presses for longer school years (Times Union)
Obama on education: Longer school year, remove poor teachers (THR)
School-tax bills have lots of moving parts (THR)
An 'F,' for forget it (Times Union Op-Ed)
Meghan E. Murphy: NY's crazy taxation system mystifies us (THR)
State senators lobbying Assembly to pass a property tax cap (Press Connects)
Public School Bashing: A Dangerous Game (AASA)
Schools in mid-Hudson, and throughout New York state, getting less aid (THR)
State issues new guidelines on school-enrollment policy (THR)
Editorial: Time for tax cap in NY (Schenectady Times)
Back to school, back to reform: NY education commissioner charts a course to higher standards (Daily News)
Schools say they're prepared for new anti-bullying law (Utica Observer)
In a New Role, Teachers Move to Run Schools (NY Times)
NY to use new, national assessment tests for 3rd-8th grades (THR)
US education chief praises state (THR)
Formula to Grade Teachers’ Skill Gains Acceptance, and Critics (NY Times)
$330 million in school grants awarded (THR)
Monticello Interact Club Donates $300 to Boys & Girls Club in Monticello (Catskill Chronicle)
The high cost of parting ways (Journal News)
Law empowers tax-weary voters (Journal News)
Monticello school board member delays her resignation (THR)
Monticello school board member to resign (THR)
NY celebrates scoring $700M from Race to the Top (THR)
New York Wins Nearly $700 Million in Race to the Top Competition (NYSED Press Release)
New York a 'Race to the Top' winner - state will get cut of $4 billion in federal education funds (Daily News)
Monticello school trustee says she will leave board (THR)
NY state's political power rests with just 115 wealthy donors (THR)
Property tax cap issue hits nerve (Times Union)
School districts delay hiring while they wait for aid figures (THR)
Law gives school districts a pass on lever voting machines (THR)
Schools to see infusion of federal funding (Buffalo News)
Monticello returns to football field 75 years later (THR)
A reprieve for schools from D.C. (Times Union)
Paterson Predicts: No DRP This Year (YNN)
Lawmakers may return to Albany, take up education jobs issue (Journal News)
Putting Our Brains on Hold (NY Times)
NY a finalist in Race to the Top (THR)
New York State Officially Broke (YNN)
Changes suggested in scoring process for Regents exams (THR)
Regents Approve Scoring Changes to Grade 3-8 Math and English Tests (NYSED)
New York to raise standards, re-grade English and math assessment tests (Syracuse)
Property tax relief drive stalls (Poughkeepsie Journal)
'Unfunded mandates' are good for Albany, bad for us (THR)
NYSED may eliminate some state testing (NYSED) 
Regents exams fail budget test (Times Union)
Regents approve elimination of some exams (THR)

NEWS from 2009-2010

Duggan Elementary School closing elicits tears, anger (THR)
RJK celebrates its students with a Moving Up ceremony
Korean War veteran receives his high school diploma
35 top Sullivan high school students honored at dinner (THR coverage)
Schools react to textbook trends: More districts look for online components (THR coverage)
Mid-Hudson school districts focusing on nutrition: Officials and volunteers joining forces (THR coverage)
Diminished budgets hobble summer-school programs: 7 districts eliminate summer school (THR coverage)
For many, Paterson has transformed from goat to hero (Press Connects)
Centuries-Old Tradition Lies Behind Diplomas of Today’s Graduates (NY Times coverage)
Beloved Board of Education member says goodbye after 21 years
MHS graduate realizes her dream to study art
Monticello High School graduates the youngest student in its history
Mock Crash designed to enlighten students to the dangers of drinking or texting while driving
Monticello Schools commemorate Memorial Day
Monticello driver places third in Bus Rodeo
Letter from the Superintendent about the reorganization of the district elementary schools
Eco Club celebrates Earth Day with tree planting and more
My View: High cost of education must be brought under control (THR Editorial by BOE member Bob Kunis)
Teacher cuts coming in hundreds (Times Union coverage)
Paterson delays $2.1 billion payment to schools (Times Union coverage)
Paterson delays payment of $2 billion to schools (Buffalo News coverage)
NYSSBA Report: Shortchanging Students: How the state budget crisis will change our schools (NYSSBA web site)
How bad will it be after Assembly vote? (Times Union coverage)
How homelessness impacts local schools (THR coverage)
Paterson: NY to apply for 2nd round of ed grants (THR coverage)
Race for federal education funding leaves NY in dust (THR coverage)
New York not chosen for Race to the Top (RTTT) funding (Times Union coverage)
Monticello Schools Superintendent to be honored with NAACP Achievement Award
Board of Education Adopts 2010-11 Proposed Budget
Budget seals Duggan School's fate (THR coverage)
PHOTOS: Monticello School Budget Meeting (THR coverage)
Reader Reaction: The proposed closing on the Duggan School in White Lake (THR coverage)
Superintendent explains Duggan closure plan, layoffs (THR coverage)
Monticello School Board votes to close Duggan elementary school (THR coverage)
Monticello District to close Duggan School (THR coverage)
Letter to the Community from the Superintendent of Schools about the International Baccalaureate (IB)
Letter to the Community from the Elementary School Principals about the IB program
Monticello Schools celebrate Culture and Diversity
Family Reading Night a great success
Cooke Elementary School alumna named PRASAD's mascot   
Monticello Schools Board of Education releases findings of Capacity and Demographics studies
Music program receives art partner grant for fourth year
Unfunded Mandate Relief Proposed by Governor
Sullivan Early Intervention Program touted for aiding kids and preventing costs later (THR coverage)
SCBOCES Board of Education representative sought by Monticello Schools
Sullivan County BOCES names Larry Thomas new district superintendent (THR coverage)
Chase Elementary School honored with IB status
Vietnam veteran receives MHS diploma
Barefoot for Bare Feet Info
Firehouse Chats 2009-2010
A Fond Farewell from Ms. Kathleen Pagano-Fuller
False rumor at Duggan causes disruption
Rosemarie Romano appointed as assistant principal of the Cooke Elementary School (THR coverage)
Monticello names new assistant superintendent
RJK Middle School removed from state list after successful restructuring
Celebrating Excellence in Monticello Schools: Deborah Wood
Transportation information for the 2009-2010 school year
Opening Day Filled with Hope for the Future
Monticello Schools SLE Forum Set to Discuss Positive Change
Summer Gatherings Help Students Ease into School
New School Supply Program Designed to Save Parents Time and Money
Summer Students Graduate from Monticello High School

News from 2008-2009

MHS Alumnus reminds us what's really important
District honors late BOE member Eugene Nesin
Teacher's aide and student hit by BBs at Rutherford Elementary School
Monticello High School teacher reassigned after allegations of inappropriate behavior with student 
Sullivan County School Boards Association honors Robin LaFountain with award
Flag ceremony shows community and patriotic support
School News Notifier (SNN) service now includes emergency text alerts
Important information about the Swine Flu
Monticello Schools launches new web site
Air Force Jazz Band comes to Monticello Schools
Reading night brings families and friends together for fun and learning
Teen beauty queen visits RJK Middle School to discuss diversity
CABC Helping Community Understand Budget Process
PTO trumpets the importance of Chase Elementary School
Monticello violent crime down 52% (story by Adam Bosch, Times Herald-Record)
Many lessons to be learned at historical presidential inauguration
Firehouse Chat brings school and community together for important discussions
Boys & Girls Club Renovations (story by Adam Bosch, Times Herald-Record)
Community members share ideas and concerns at school district forum
Monticello Schools to lose almost $2 million in state aid
Monticello Schools receive $2,500 in ExxonMobil Educational Grants
Letter to the Community from the Superintendent: We need your help
Tough economic times ahead as state prepares new budget
Monticello School District wins national public relations awards
Two Monticello Schools staff members receive awards of excellence
Students walking the walk to school as part of a greater plan
Gourmet meal more than just good food: Sullivan County Boys & Girls Club
Opening Day Ceremony filled with positive energy (and streamed live)!
Monticello Football back after 73 years (story by Adam Bosch, Times Herald-Record)