Reflections from the Board President
June 22, 2009
To The Croton Community,
The Croton-Harmon School Board sincerely thanks the members of our community for supporting the 2009-2010 school district's budget. Creating the budget was not an easy task particularly in view of current economic conditions. As always, we weigh our desire to provide the best possible education for our students against increased taxes for our community. Many of the budget items were a result of difficult decisions that, in the end, could not please everyone. In recognition of the challenging financial times we are dealing with, our Director of Finance and Administration and our Directory of Pupil Personnel Services; along with our incoming Superintendent, offered to represent our concerns by agreeing to increase their contribution to the health care premium payment to 20%. We are most appreciative of this initiative and know that it helps to further demonstrate a collaborative commitment to controlling costs in our district. We appreciate those of you who shared your ideas and suggestions during the budget process and sought to understand the basis of our thinking. We are especially pleased that both propositions were approved by the voters and that we can now establish and begin to fund a capital reserve to save for needed infrastructure projects. With the approval of the bond proposition, are now able to purchase additional district transportation vehicles to help provide as cost efficient transportation as possible to our students.
The voting results were as follows:
Budget Yes: 952 No: 522
Establishment
of Capital Reserve Fund Yes: 866 No: 517
Bond Proposition for Vehicles Yes: 822 No: 595
As this school year comes to a close, we are so proud of the many accomplishments of our students this past year. It was a record year in terms of athletic achievements for our small district with so many of our teams competing at the state levels in their sport. We recognized many academic successes both in our core academics and in academic related co-curricular activities as well.
As the year comes to a close, we are also mindful of the changes that will be taking place in our school district as we move forward. On behalf of our students in this school district, the Board of Education would like to extend our appreciation to Dr. Castro for her 13 years of dedication to this district as we wish her the best in her new endeavor as Head of School for the Eagle Hill School in Connecticut.
On July 1st, Dr. Edward Fuhrman will officially take on the Superintendency of the Croton-Harmon School District. Dr. Castro has been working diligently with Dr. Fuhrman, for which we are extremely appreciative, to ensure that the district will realize a smooth transition in this change of leadership.
Among Dr. Furhman’s first priorities will be the decision regarding a new principal for the High School. Applications have been received for this position and more will be known as the process continues. We thank Dr. Joel Adelberg for his contributions to this district these past seven years and wish him well in his new position in the Bedford Schools.
The Board is also very pleased to announce the change in title of Mrs. Kusum Sinha from Director of Pupil Personnel Services to that of Assistant Superintendent. This title change, at no additional salary, was made to be a more accurate reflection of the role and responsibilities that Mrs. Sinha has been assuming for some time now under her extremely capable skills as well as to allow for some of her expanding responsibilities.
We take this opportunity to welcome the two new members of the Croton-Harmon Board of Education elected by the commuity-- Andrea Furey and Giuseppina Miller-- as Gene Perl and I step down from our board service. Please make a point of getting to know them.
Finally, we also would like to remind the community that the members of the board of education are always available to discuss issues and concerns you may have throughout the year.
Again, we greatly appreciate your support on behalf of the children of our community. Have a wonderful summer!
Most sincerely,
Kathy Brechner
President
Croton-Harmon Board of Education
We welcome you to the Croton-Harmon
School District Web site. It is our hope
that our district and school web pages
will give you information about our schools
and the ways in which we are working to
provide you the very finest education
possible for our students. Please don't
hesitate to contact us if you have ideas
or thoughts you wish to share about the
Croton-Harmon School District. We welcome
your involvement and ideas. |
Our
Superintendent, Dr. Marjorie E. Castro
welcomes you to the Croton-Harmon School
District website. Read what Dr. Castro
has to say in the 
