Extra kindergarten section added, Julie Roberts resigns

PINE PLAINS — In response to public comment at a regular meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Pine Plains Central School District Board of Education (BOE) and Superintendent Martin Handler have agreed to increase the upcoming kindergarten from three to four sections for the purpose of smaller class sizes.

Kindergarten is held at Cold Spring Early Learning Center in Stanfordville.

In a post on the Pine Plains Moms And Dads Facebook group dated Aug. 10, Julie Baiardi Zengen informed other parents that the upcoming classes were sized at 21, 22 and 25 students.

“I think this is too many kids for each classroom,” the post reads.

“The board has added a further class of kindergarten,” Handler wrote in the same group, Thursday, Aug. 20. “Class sizes will be about 17 [students] per class. Some parents may receive notification of a teacher change as a result.”

After the meeting, BOE President Fred “Chip” Couse explained the addition will require the appointment of an extra teacher and part-time aide.

“Prior to last night, we had three [kindergarten] teachers, two part-time aides and one full-time aide,” he said. “As a result of last night, it will be four teachers and four part-time aides.”

The positions will be funded out of a line for contingencies, Couse said. Therefore, the approved budget amount and tax levy will not change. 

Personnel changes

The following items were approved unanimously. (BOE member Anne Arent was absent.)

Seymour Smith Intermediate School Principal Julie Roberts resigned from the district. According to Couse, she accepted a position as principal of Millbrook High School.

The board approved an agreement to employ Anthony Celenza as interim principal of Seymour Smith.

Guidance Counselor Timothy Mahon resigned from the district. The board appointed Jessica Wisniewski to replace him, at an annual salary of $70,235.

The BOE is scheduled to meet next on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. in the high school library.