The Poughkeepsie City School District Discusses Parents' Concerns
The Poughkeepsie City School District discussed a number of parents’ concerns at its scheduled board of education meeting on March 2. The meeting was held through a YouTube live stream and they will be conducted this way until further notice. Dr. Felicia Watson, the school board president, conducted the meeting, swiftly moving into a number of parents’ comments regarding school heating, busing for the students, and extracurricular activities.
Blair Fahey, a parent of a child attending one of the schools within the Poughkeepsie City School District, raised a concern regarding heating in the schools. Fahey stated to the board, “The heat has been an ongoing issue all winter long, and I do not understand why this ongoing issue has been put off for so long. Teachers and students have had to deal with inadequate heat this entire winter.”
The Early Learning Center, where Fahey’s child attends, had an early release on Wednesday and the rest of the school week would be held virtually. This was due to a boiler system breaking in the school.
Superintendent Eric Rosser was in charge of answering the questions at the school board meeting for the evening.
In regard to Fahey’s question, Superintendent Rosser stated that this is something that has been addressed previously, yet important to keep re-addressing to the community. When it comes to the boiler system, the schools have been experiencing heating issues in all the buildings. However, due to the neglect of heating systems and roofing, there is immediate action that must be taken to prevent any further structural issues.
In order to improve these issues, the school board set out to create a referendum bond. “71 percent of our community voted in response saying that they fully support a 98-million-dollar project,” Rosser said. The school district hired architects and a construction management firm to work on these issues. These schools will be receiving new boilers this summer.
In addition, Fahey also commented on the lack of bussing for extracurricular activities. “The lack of transportation for before and after school programs is making families look at private school alternatives or moving out of the district.”
In response to Fahey’s comment, Rosser said, “Poughkeepsie for some time has been a walking district in which students walk to and from school, particularly, our elementary school as they live within the neighborhood.” The superintendent further explained the only students who receive busing are those with exceptionalities, in preschool, or in kindergarten. The middle school and high school students are able to take Dutchess County public transport free of charge, due to a negotiated deal through the school district.
Yonick Wilson, another parent who left comments for The Poughkeepsie City School District, was concerned about the mask mandate lifting in the school. On March 2, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announced that mask mandates would be lifted in all schools.
“Please keep masks in place. It is cold outside and COVID is still around. I am a nurse, and the kids are fine with their masks. The school year is halfway done,” Wilson said.
Rosser said that as the mask mandates are no longer in place around New York, “there is not a way for a school district to mandate masks to be worn among anyone that is within the school district.” However, he went on to say that masks can be worn by those who feel that they need to do so.
The final comment addressed at the board meeting was from Melinda Aaron, a recent retiree from The Poughkeepsie City School District’s music department. Aaron explained that one of the elementary schools within the district does not allow for any music ensembles including choirs, band, and string instrument performances. Aaron also explained that choruses are not supported in any of the district’s elementary schools.
“These ensembles were previously included as functional components of their respective schedules. I led choruses and bands during my 10 years at our elementary schools, however, the students at this elementary school do not have opportunities,” said Aaron.
Aaron explained that music courses can increase academic performance for students. She further states in her comment that it is important, “To provide equitable access to music ensembles for our students in all four of our elementary schools. To truly activate change and improvement, it is best when presenting a problem to be part of the solution.” For Aaron, this solution is volunteering time at the school to provide music opportunities for students.
In response to the last citizen’s comment at the meeting, Superintendent Rosser stated that he has always been a champion for the arts. By doing so, he and the rest of the school district have been working hard to allow students to be able to express themselves through the creative arts.
Superintendent Rosser concluded his responses to the citizens’ comments by noting that a supervisor of instruction will be reaching out to Aaron in regard to expanding the school district's music program.
