It’s Monday in Monticello – time for Superintendent Matt Evans’ weekly update to the Monticello community.
In this episode, a conversation with Monticello High School students Aga Chowdhury and Sophia Zhang, who will be sworn in as student board members for the 2026-27 school year at this Thursday’s meeting. Learn why these two young leaders wanted to represent their peers at the highest level of the district, and what their priorities are in the new role.
Also, information about:
- Monticello High School’s Red Cross Club’s Blood Drive on Sept. 30 from 10-3 p.m.
- Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School’s open house on Sept. 30
- Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School Library.
Video Transcript:
It’s Monday in Monticello — Sept. 28, 2026
Matt Evans: Hi, I’m Matt Evans, superintendent of the Monticello Central School District. Thank you for joining us for the Sept. 28, 2026, edition of It’s Monday in Monticello. Before I introduce my special guests, I have a few calendar updates.
Monticello High School’s Red Cross Club will host a blood drive on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The blood drive is open to the public, but donors must register in advance. For registration information, visit www.monticelloschools.net.
Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School will hold its open house on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. Parents, caregivers and interested community members are encouraged to attend.
The Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School library. At that meeting, the board will appoint its new student board members: my special guests this week, Student Government President Aga Chowdhury and Vice President Sophia Zhang.
Aga and Sophia, welcome.
Students: Thank you.
Matt Evans: Why are you interested in serving in student government?
Student: Last year, we saw the events that Evan and Reagan helped make possible, including Clash of the Classes. Events like those build school spirit. We also want to help students voice their concerns to the board and district leadership.
Matt Evans: You’re looking to build on that work. What goals, plans or activities are you excited about this year?
Student: We’re always trying to build school spirit. We plan to hold Clash of the Classes again and make it bigger this year. We’re also trying to continue the countywide student council and develop peer tutoring so students can share resources. Last year, the Harlem Wizards visited, and we’d like to do something similar to bring the school and community together.
Matt Evans: What are you looking forward to as student members of the Board of Education? How do you see that role?
Student: We want to work with student council representatives from all the classes and bring their concerns to Principal Gorr, district administrators and the board. We also want to get underclassmen more involved in our school community.
Matt Evans: Student voice is important, and we welcome it. What are your plans after graduation?
Student: Right now, I hope to attend RIT to study electrical engineering.
Student: I’m interested in aerospace engineering and am considering Buffalo and RIT. We’ll see where.
Matt Evans: Hopefully, we have a couple of future engineers here. Good luck, and thank you both for stepping forward. Ms. Gorr, is there anything you’d like to add?
Jennifer Gorr: I’m very proud of them. They have goals that will make Monticello proud, and I thank them for their contributions. It’s humbling to hear that they want to keep improving our student culture and school pride. I look forward to seeing the great things they’ll do this year.
Matt Evans: Thank you, Ms. Gorr, Aga and Sophia. Good luck to all our students taking the SAT this upcoming weekend.
That’s it for this week. Stay well, everyone. With Monti Pride, I’m Matt Evans.