Unfinished business at CSD
By Travis Moshier Endeavor News

A new school year starts next week at Coudersport with many unanswered questions, including who will be the next superintendent of schools.

At Monday's school board meeting, crowd of parents and teachers voiced their opinions on the proposed change to the elementary curriculum, in which the fifth and sixth grades will be treated more as a "middle school."

News of the changes was revealed in letters to the editor of a local newspaper prior to the meeting. Board member Marcia Lagrua-Jones said the letters were the first she had heard of any curriculum changes.

Elementary Principal Sherry Cowburn explained that new curriculum will create more mixed groupings of students and "maximize educational opportunities."

She also said a letter was sent home with students asking parents to call her with questions, but she hadn't received any calls.

Superintendent George Nuffer, whose contract expires this year, pointed out that many curriculum changes are based on lawsuit decisions at the state level.

The new curriculum will place all students in the same classroom, regardless of their abilities, creating the need for more aides to assist children who have a hard time keeping up with the lessons.

"I'd imagine by the time it's over, you'll have a bunch," Nuffer said, referring to the aides.

Several teachers oppose the decision, including all the fifth- and sixth-grade teachers, according to a parent, Mary Newton.

"We have a very good program in the elementary school, so why change it?" she asked.

"We didn't all agree ... but it's something we're going to work on," Cowburn said.

Long-time high school faculty member Joe Gagat pointed out that, during the change to block scheduling many years ago, the teachers and the administration favored the move. "Everyone needs to be on the same page in order for it to work," he advised.

Board members concluded that the decision on whether to change the curriculum is theirs, but took no action at Monday's meeting.

Another uncertainty is the status of the superintendent position.

Nuffer snapped at questions about his retirement date, replying that he would continue to serve until a successor is named or the board notifies him that he is through.

He added that board members would be privately discussing the issue during an executive session that followed Monday's public meeting.

Also in limbo is the hiring of a successor for long-time vocational agriculture teacher Earl Brown, who retired. Nuffer said two finalists are being interviewed after an initial review of applicants.

Several other faculty openings, including three elementary positions and the physical education position vacated by Paul Simcoe, were filled during the meeting. In other business Monday, the school board, as expected, passed the 2008-09 operating budget of $11.4 million, maintaining the real estate tax at 40.19.

Mitch DeLong, construction consultant, reported that the high school cafeteria expansion, addition and renovations at the elementary school, and the CARP field work, are all on schedule and within budget.

Next school board meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 in the high school LGI room.