Valley Stream 24 superintendent outlines program expansions and safety propositions ahead of May 21 budget vote
May 16, 2024 | VALLEY STREAM 24 UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York
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Dr. Caracas, Valley Stream 24's superintendent, told the Board the district's proposed 2024 budget includes curriculum and program expansions and two safety-focused propositions, and reminded the public that the budget vote is May 21.
The superintendent said the district would expand its Spanish program from grades 5 6 to grades 3 6 to begin earlier in students' language learning. "Research shows that students learn language best if they start learning it before the age of 10," he said, adding this change aims to give students more time to develop language skills.
The proposed budget also extends the district's challenge (gifted) program to grades 4 through 6; Dr. Caracas said that extension follows staff and parent feedback and will run concurrently with other enrichment offerings for K 6 students. The summer program will be expanded from three hours to five hours per day "to provide added intervention and enrichment opportunities," he said; the superintendent noted the summer program is scheduled to begin July 2.
Curriculum changes include adoption of a new science program, Into Science, which district teachers piloted alongside existing programs such as Go Math and Into Reading. The superintendent said the new science curriculum will emphasize hands-on learning opportunities.
Two propositions to be decided in the May 21 vote are included in the budget package: installation of window-unit air conditioning at Brooklyn Avenue School and Robert Carbonaro School, and purchase/installation of a magnetic hold-open door device intended to secure doors automatically in an emergency. The superintendent described the door device as a safety enhancement that would "shut all doors in the event of an emergency."
Why it matters: The budget vote will determine whether the district can finance the expanded instruction, longer summer programming and the listed capital improvements. If approved, the changes will affect all K 6 students and will be implemented in the next school year as the superintendent described.
The board did not take a public vote on the budget at this meeting; Dr. Caracas invited parents to the district's exhibit night the same evening as a reminder to attend the May 21 vote.
Sources and provenance: Reporting in this article is based on the superintendent's presentation and announcements during the board meeting (see superintendent report).
The superintendent said the district would expand its Spanish program from grades 5 6 to grades 3 6 to begin earlier in students' language learning. "Research shows that students learn language best if they start learning it before the age of 10," he said, adding this change aims to give students more time to develop language skills.
The proposed budget also extends the district's challenge (gifted) program to grades 4 through 6; Dr. Caracas said that extension follows staff and parent feedback and will run concurrently with other enrichment offerings for K 6 students. The summer program will be expanded from three hours to five hours per day "to provide added intervention and enrichment opportunities," he said; the superintendent noted the summer program is scheduled to begin July 2.
Curriculum changes include adoption of a new science program, Into Science, which district teachers piloted alongside existing programs such as Go Math and Into Reading. The superintendent said the new science curriculum will emphasize hands-on learning opportunities.
Two propositions to be decided in the May 21 vote are included in the budget package: installation of window-unit air conditioning at Brooklyn Avenue School and Robert Carbonaro School, and purchase/installation of a magnetic hold-open door device intended to secure doors automatically in an emergency. The superintendent described the door device as a safety enhancement that would "shut all doors in the event of an emergency."
Why it matters: The budget vote will determine whether the district can finance the expanded instruction, longer summer programming and the listed capital improvements. If approved, the changes will affect all K 6 students and will be implemented in the next school year as the superintendent described.
The board did not take a public vote on the budget at this meeting; Dr. Caracas invited parents to the district's exhibit night the same evening as a reminder to attend the May 21 vote.
Sources and provenance: Reporting in this article is based on the superintendent's presentation and announcements during the board meeting (see superintendent report).
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