RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 3, 2010, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Freeport schools graduation rate improving
Freeport School district graduation rate was now at 78%, up from 73%.
Freeport’s graduation rate increased this summer, Schools Superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham announced at last week’s school board meeting at New Visions School.
Superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham reported on a successful summer school. He announced that, as a result of August graduation, the district graduation rate was now at 78%, up from 73% in June. Dr. Kuncham thanked all those in the district who helped this accomplishment.
In reporting on the teachers’ and freshman orientation events, Dr. Kuncham assured the crowd that the district and its buildings were all ready for the resumption of school on September 7. Dr. Kuncham also spoke about New York State’s winning funding in the federal “Race to the Top” program (the estimate is that New York will receive $7 million).
Dr. Kuncham said that Freeport’s share of that is expected to be $500-700,000 – but that an exact figure, as well as federal government guidelines of how it could be used – were still pending, and the district would probably not see this funding in 2010-2011.
Public comment speakers spoke about “Race to the Top,” with former board President Dr. Al Renken cautioning the board against using the funds to add staff without considering how to pay for that staff after the funding was gone. And resident Alan Jay, noting the federal government’s fiscal state, wished to remind the board that the funding was with borrowed money – “borrowed from your children.”
- In other business, the district:
- Approved a strategic plan outlining the district’s plan for the next five years based on the district’s goals.
- Approved a staff development plan as required by the state.
- Accepted a capital projects bid for a sign at the high school. The next Freeport Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 7, at Atkinson School.