Schools

Debate Continues Over Japanese Language Program

When the Clarkstown School Board meets Tuesday night at 7 p.m. it will resume discussing the proposed phasing out of the district’s Japanese Language Program. The potential elimination of the program drew a large crowd at the last board meeting and many supporters who spoke about its benefits for students and the district. A majority of board members voted to cut Japanese from the sixth grade curriculum beginning in September.

Several administrative changes will take place. The board will receive the resignations of Clarkstown South High School Assistant Principal Debra Tarantino effective June 30, Lakewood Elementary School Principal Michelle Martoni effective August 1 and District Curriculum Coordinator of Secondary Education David Jacob effective July 10. Trustees will vote on Dr. Margaret Ruller’s appointment as director of curriculum and instruction effective July 21. Dr. Ruller’s annual salary would be $150,000 and her probationary period would run until July 20, 2016. 

Re-elected board members Diane Hoeneveld and Robert Carlucci will be sworn in and a new school board president and vice president will be elected and inducted. The new student representatives to the board will join them for the first time. Miskat Rahman is a senior at Clarkstown North High School and Jennifer Hopkins is a senior at Clarkstown South.

Find out what's happening in New Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Several donations will come before the board. Hansoo Lee of New City Boy Scout Troop 97 is donating $401 from the proceeds of his Eagle Scout project fundraiser and a shovel and trowel valued at $50. Lee will also be recognized for his Eagle Scout project at The Birchwood School, which included building three benches near the playground.

$300 is being donated in honor of Elizabeth Dasher, who retired from Felix Festa Middle School after working there for 40 years. The money will be used to purchase two e-readers and books for the school library.

Find out what's happening in New Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here