NEWS

Kearney Awarded $1 Million - By Eva G.

The Board of Education (BoE) voted on April 28 to file objections to the recommendations by Administrative Law Judge Christine Kellett in the case Amelia Kearney v. Ithaca City School District (ICSD). Kellett ruled that the district did not provide Amelia Kearney’s daughter sufficient protection from racial harassment during the 2005-2006 school year. While a student at DeWitt Middle School, Kearney’s daughter was called racial slurs, spit at, and threatened.

Public Vote on ICSD Budget May 20 - By Andrea Y. and Jonathan D.

The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Board of Education (BoE) voted on the district’s budget for the 2008-2009 school year on Tuesday, April 22. The final budget proposal amounted to $95,702,930, which is a 5.1 percent increase over last year’s budget. Ithaca residents will vote on this budget on May 20.

Interviews: BoE Candidates - By Rayleigh L.

Six candidates are running for three open seats in the upcoming Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Board of Education (BoE) election on May 20. The candidates are Joshua Bornstein, Allen Lambert, Charles M. “Mac” Larsen, Gail Patrice Lockert Anthony, Seth Peacock, and Scott L. Perez. Peacock is an incumbent.

News Briefs - Staff Reports

FOCUS Awards $3,500 to Community Groups

Students Attend Second Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council Meeting

IHS Students Place at State and Regional Essay Competitions

Cornell Troupe Ordinary People Performs Skits at IHS - By Michaela S.

The Cornell drama troupe Ordinary People performed five skits at IHS on Thursday, April 3, addressing racism, ableism (discrimination in favor of the able-bodied), homophobia, classism, and sexism.

Ithacans Discuss Equity at IHS Conference - By Louis S.

The History Center in Tompkins County hosted a conference on equity at IHS on April 10. The conference was the second of three such meetings, intended to “facilitate dialogue and engage in a process to assist and support the elimination of disproportionality in Ithaca schools.” The meetings were organized through the combined efforts of the History Center; the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity at Ithaca College; and the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Staff Development Office. The meetings were led by Barry Derfel, the instructional specialist for educational equity in the ICSD; and Sean Eversley-Bradwell, an assistant professor at the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity.

Constance Evelyn Hired as Assistant Superintendent - By Rayleigh L.

Current Oswego Middle School Principal Constance Evelyn will assume the role of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) on July 1. She will replace Patrick Jensen, who temporarily left his principalship at Cayuga Heights Elementary School (CHES) to fill the position during the 2007-2008 school year. The ICSD began the search for a permanent replacement last December.

Site-Based Council a Key Part of IHS - By Iain C.

The Site-Based Council (SBC) is a decision-making body that focuses on student safety and achievement. Formed in 1993, the council represents students, teachers, administrators, and community members. The council’s decisions, which are made by consensus, are passed on to the IHS Leadership Team or the Board of Education for implementation.

New Safety Aides Join IHS Staff - By Andrei F.

Three new safety aides were hired at IHS during the 2007-2008 academic year, bringing the total number of safety aides to eight. Danilo Marte, Joaquin Lira, and Gary Jordan were the new safety aides to join the IHS staff.