NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Here are some highlights from the Tuesday, Jan. 8 Board of Education meeting at New Rochelle High School’s Whitney M. Young Auditorium. To watch a video of the meeting, click here.
CHRONIC ABSENCE: Amy Goodman, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, gave a presentation titled “Reducing Chronic Absenteeism,” where she explained the importance of attendance in school.
New Rochelle has a rate of 16 percent of students who are chronically absent, compared to the national average of 14 percent. Goodman provided breakdowns of rates by elementary, middle and high school and based on race/ethnicity and subgroups, such as students with disabilities, English language learners and economically disadvantaged students.
Goodman explained that chronic absenteeism is consequential. Missing just an average of 18 days, or two or more days a month, is considered chronic absenteeism. In every grade and at every level, chronic absenteeism affects reading proficiency, math levels and social and emotional skills. She provided data that showed a correlation between ninth grade attendance and on-time graduation from high school.
The district is examining data for root causes to provide appropriate interventions.
INTERIM NAMED FOR BUSINESS OFFICE: A familiar face is coming back to the City School District of New Rochelle. Thomas J. Ryan, the District’s Assistant Superintendent for Business from 2000 to 2007, is returning to serve as Interim Assistant Superintendent for Business and Administration.
The Board of Education on Tuesday approved the hiring of Ryan. Ryan has a vast amount of experience, including positions as Vice President for Finance and Corporate Treasurer for Manhattan College, Assistant Superintendent for Business at Lakeland Central School District, Director of Finance at Rockland Community College, and Assistant Business Manager at Lakeland and the Chappaqua Central School District. He is currently the Vice President of T&K Ryan, LLC in Brewster, where he manages all business and financial operations for the consulting firm.
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER: The Board approved increasing its contribution to the city’s chapter of My Brother’s Keeper by $20,000 to $40,000 for the current calendar year. MBK is a White House-sponsored initiative designed to allow boys and young men of color reach their potential in life.
