There was good news at the Rye City Board of Education meeting: the board has approved a new three-year contract with the Custodial Unit that does not include salary “step” increases during the first two years, and the high school locker room refurbishment is complete.

 

By Sarah Varney

 

There was good news at the Rye City Board of Education meeting: the board has approved a new three-year contract with the Custodial Unit that does not include salary “step” increases during the first two years, and the high school locker room refurbishment is complete.

 

The custodians’ contract gives the 24-person staff a one-time payment of $700 per person in the 2013-2014 (current) school year. A salary increase of 1.5% will take effect in the middle of the 2014-2015 school year, and a 1.5% increase will follow for 2015-2016.

 

For high schoolers, there are more lockers, new private showers, and a space-age flooring surface that’s soft but durable.

 

The Parsons Street Players also received good news. Board President Laura Slack thanked Peter and Gwen Rukeyser for their gift of $10,000 for the group. “Our donation gives us great pleasure,” said Gwen. “We recognize the importance of a vibrant theater program in our high school. Given the recent budget cuts, we’re thrilled to contribute to the vitality of the PSP.”

 

PSP Director Thomas Snowden expressed his gratitude on behalf of the group. “Such generosity affords us the opportunity to carry on the rich tradition of bringing quality productions to the Rye community. The PSP family would like to graciously thank Mr. and Mrs. Rukeyser for their constant support,” said Snowden.

 

In Act II of the meeting, the ELA/Math test scores received in September were reported. While 31% of New York State students in grades three through eight tested as proficient in the English Language Arts and Math tests, 69% of Rye students made the grade. Among Rye’s peer districts, Bronxville, Chappaqua, and Scarsdale students scored the same proficiency.

 

Superintendent for Curriculum Dr. Betty Anne Wyks presented the 2013 District Assessment Data report outlining some of the highs and lows of the testing results. Following the presentation, she fielded a number of board members’ questions, which initiated a thoughtful discussion about the meaning of test scores.

 

Board member Ed Fox questioned the disparities across grade levels, while Slack expressed puzzlement at eighth-grade math results. “How is it possible that our 8th graders do well on a freshman Regents algebra exam, but poorly on these standardized tests?” she asked.

 

Concerns about the quality of the tests from publisher McGraw-Hill’s CBT Acuity unit were also raised. The tests from Acuity were mandated this year, however school districts will have wider choices going forward. “We don’t have a high level of confidence in these tests,” acknowledged Superintendent Dr. Frank Alvarez.

 

Whatever the tests, it’s the scores that matter, opined board member Nancy Pasquale. “If we allow ourselves not to look harder at the scores, then we run the risk of becoming complacent,” she said.

 

Midland School parent Sonia Hounsell echoed Pasquale. “I’m concerned about a sense of hubris in the Rye school system,” said Hounsell. “What are we doing to help the kids?”