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RFH 2010, HCS News

HCS Changes Administrative Structure

Tue, Jun 14, 2011

HCS Changes Administrative Structure

When students return to the halls of HCS in September, fundamental changes will have made in how the school operates.

Students my not notice, but the administrative structure will have changed. Instead of the school being divided horizontally (between elementary and secondary grades) it will be split vertically (between the curriculum for all grades and student services for all children in Pre-K to 12th grade). 

The change was made, in part, to accommodate the loss of Secondary School Principal Tom Lutsic. His position was eliminated in the 2011-2012 budget. He has accepted the position of high school principal in Guilderland between Albany and Schenectady.

At Monday night's Board of Education meeting, the two administrators who will oversee the student services portion of the school's operation explained their approach to the new, more streamlined plan. Bill Dowsland, who has been the HCS athletic director and a physical education teacher, has been made assistant principal and will remain AD. He will team with Peggy O'Conner, who has been the school's social worker.

Combined, they will work with the HCS staff, parents and students to oversee the academic, personal and social growth of the children who attend HCS. In their presentation to the board, O'Conner and Dowsland said they seek to:

  • provide school-wide leadership to ensure student success;
  • use a "whole child" approach to dealing with students;
  • do a better job of communicating with parents;
  • be more proactive, helping parents, students and teachers avoid problems before they occur;
  • use technology to keep parents better informed of their child's progress and problems in school;
  • use behavior modification plans to change the issues that are causing poor performance in school;
  • and celebrate students' success.

"The more information we can give to our parents and kids, the better off we'll all be," said Dowsland,

It's not enough to tell parents that "Johnny" has forgotten his homework for the past three days, Dowsland said. It's more im[portant to find out why Johnny has not done his homework.

HCS Superintendent Dr. Diana Bowers and former Elementary School Principal Kevin Ellis will oversee curriculum from Pre-K through 12th grade.

Also at Monday's meeting, the board set the tuition rate for out-of-district students who enroll in HCS. The new rate is $3,000 per student, a $350 increase from $2,650 per child.

During discussion on the change, board member Molly Johnson urged the board to make the rate as close to the district's cost to educate each student. That amount is $4,000 when state aid is removed.

Johnson urged the board to move toward that entire $4,000 in coming years.

Board Member Ingrid Hale suggested there be a way to to address extenuating situations of families whose children have been attending HCS but would have a hard time meeting the new price. The board agreed that flexible payment schedules be created.

The board also increased the price of lunches. The price for elementary students' lunches increased from $$1.75 to $2; secondary student prices went up from $2 to $2.25. Milk will cost 50 cents.

Monday's meeting was the first for new board Member Bud Ballinger III (below).


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