ALLEGANY, N.Y. — A number of issues, such as a parent’s concern with the National Honor Society’s bylaws, were discussed Tuesday during the Allegany-Limestone School District board of education meeting.
During the public comment session, parent Mark Reardon of Allegany told the board he was upset because his daughter had not been selected for National Honor Society after earning a 98.55 grade point average and is a four-sport athlete.
“I’m here fighting for my daughter who did not get in, but also for the other kids that should have been in and I feel were wronged,” Reardon said. He further noted his daughter met all of the criteria required of Honor Society candidates and had no code of conduct issues. Reardon said he believed judging for the program is subjective and unfair in matters that included an essay submitted by his daughter. He said the essay had to be handwritten and typos severely detracted from the grade. Reardon noted a letter from the NHS coordinator ironically had a typo.
At the end of the meeting, board member Jay King suggested the curriculum committee review the Honor Society’s bylaws to determine if they need changed, to which the board agreed.
In other matters, the board heard a presentation on a European trip taken by 28 Allegany-Limestone high school students and five chaperones during the Thanksgiving holiday. Teacher Eileen Finn provided pictures and videos from the trip to Paris, Barcelona and Madrid and several students spoke briefly of what impressed them most.
The board also heard a presentation from administrators Alicia Bockmier and Ted Costa on the Graduation Pathways program for students of all abilities in the district. Costa provided a pamphlet containing the graduation requirements for conventional students in the district, noting New York state has some of the highest graduation standards in the country. Bockmier briefly outlined the graduation requirements for students with special needs and said they can earn a diploma or graduation credentials from their studies in the school district.
On another topic, the board did their first reading of a new policy for therapy dogs in the school district.
Misty Schuman, a special needs teacher, told the board the dog, a golden doodle breed named “Moose,” was trained by Denise Barber of K-9 Connection dog training in Olean. Schuman said the dog would stay in the classroom and can provide emotional support and comfort to students with special needs.
“The dog has great temperament and great training,” Schuman told the board.
In commenting on her credentials for dog training, Barber said she has been a volunteer “puppy raiser” and regional coordinator for the Guiding Eyes for the Blind organization for 25 years.
“I raise a puppy almost every year so I have a lot of tricks of the trade,” Barber said, adding her dogs have impeccable house manners and social manners.
Following their comments, the board agreed to do the second reading on the policy at its next meeting and indicated they are in favor of the therapy dog for the classroom.
“I think it’s a great idea and I think it will help kids in a progressive and unique way,” said Joe Zimmer, board president.
In personnel matters, the board accepted the long-range retirement resignation of Holly Sheeser, elementary teacher, effective Oct. 31.
