District hosts first town hall style meeting

Superintendent Vicki Wright hosted the district's first town hall style meeting Wednesday as 57 people turned-out at the Coeymans Fire House to discuss the status and future of the school district.

Those in attendance asked a number of questions, including those wide in scope and those much narrower.

The wider scope questions included how the district holds contractors accountable when their work fails, what steps the Board of Education has taken to ensure a better education for students and what the main issues are that drove the teachers to a vote of no confidence.

More specific questions involved what the role and responsibility of the school superintendent is, whether the human resources administrator position is needed and whether it was advertised, and what issues the district had with credit cards. Also, whether restroom doors in one of the schools will be fixed and what technology programs will be expanded.

Board of Education member John Vadney said the meeting was very productive.

"I'm very happy and proud of our community. As always, we need our district input - good or bad - on all issues. Last night proved that communication. Working together, we will make our schools the best for our community," he said.

Board President Mike Varney said that based on the success of Wednesday's gathering, he looks forward to future meetings.

"It was great that people who had different viewpoints on issues were able to have a conversation outside the restrictions of a board meeting. I'm looking forward to seeing the district hold more of these sessions to keep the momentum going," Varney said.

Superintendent Vicki Wright thanked the dozens of residents who came out Wednesday for sharing their view points and asking "very thought provoking, wide-reaching questions."

She will meet with the Board of Education soon to discuss those questions and more information will soon be forthcoming.