State Toughens Standards

It was a packed house in Springs on Monday night as parents, teachers, and residents sat through a two-hour meeting, during which time the board appointed John Finello, the district’s current part-time superintendent, to continue working on an interim basis from now until the end of July.

“He’s brought so much focus, preparation, and care into this position,” said Elizabeth Mendelman, the board president. “He’s steered us with a firm hand and we look forward to his continued leadership.” Mr. Finello has been on the job since September 2013.

Come the opening of the next school year, the board hopes that Springs might have a full-time superintendent, with the necessary funds included in the forthcoming 2015-16 school budget, soon to be unveiled. All told, full-time superintendents make around $250,000 annually, including benefits and retirement packages, with compensation varying according to experience.

Besides finding money for that position, Springs faces other budgetary challenges, particularly insofar as its growing English language learner population and immediate need for space is concerned.

Margaret Garsetti, an English as a second language teacher, told the audience that beginning in September, recent state mandates will impact the school’s E.L.L. population. Last fall, she explained, the New York State Board of Regents made some changes to the state regulations, intended to provide more rigorous instruction and greater accountability for English-learners, whose graduation rates lag woefully behind their peers.

Besides professional development for those teachers and administrators specific to the needs of E.L.L. students, schools will be required to provide bilingual education if 15 students share a language other than English. The number has previously been capped at 20 students.

This year, Springs School has 20 students enrolled in its first bilingual kindergarten class. Come September, Ms. Garsetti explained that five of the children will have to test proficient in English on the state’s test, or the school will be required to offer a bilingual program in first grade as well.

Also, when a non-native English speaker enrolls at the school, besides assessing proficiency, the district must identify whether the student has a disability, as well as determine whether his or her education was interrupted at any point. The district must also consult with each family at least once each year, updating parents on areas of strengths and weaknesses.

Among other changes, in order to demonstrate proficiency students can also score a 3 on the English Language Arts assessment instead of passing the state’s English as a Second Language test. In past years, some students were able to demonstrate grade-level proficiency on the subject-area exam but not on that test, and Ms. Garsetti warned that since implementing the Common Core, both exams are now more difficult to pass.

Looking ahead, John Grant, the board’s vice president, noted that a small class of only 15 students would result in larger class sizes for other students in the same grade. Besides the potential need for additional bilingual teachers, he said, it is “problematic, with the current class sizes being what they are.”

Christopher Sarlo, a retired school administrator, is filling in while Eric Casale, the principal, is out this month on medical leave. Mr. Sarlo provided an updated enrollment count of 1,074 students district-wide, with 746 students now enrolled (three more than last month) in grades prekindergarten through eighth grade. “Space is tight. There’s no question about that,” said Mr. Sarlo, who described it as a “crowded little school.”

In other news, Amy Schroeder was appointed to replace Lindsey Thayer while she is out on maternity leave, and Amanda Rivera was hired as a special education teacher for a three-year probationary period, at an annual salary of $55,246.

John Gibbons, who previously taught music, will now teach that subject six-tenths of the time and education technology for the rest. Angelina Modica was hired as a music teacher for a three-year probationary term at an annual salary of $48,041. In addition, Madeleine Everhart was hired as full-time school psychologist at an annual salary of $60,050. She will replace Karen Fried, who formerly worked part-time. And effective Tuesday, Ms. Everhart will also serve as chairwoman for special education. Meanwhile, Keri DeLalio will serve as both the director of pupil personnel and human resources.

Lisa Matz, the PTA president, announced a $2,000 donation from the PTA’s sports booster club to benefit the Fitness Fun program, which will be used to purchase athletic equipment for kindergarten and first-grade students. The board also discussed the school calendar and vacation days for the 2015-16 school year, which it plans to unveil next month.

During public comments, several audience members discussed the immediate need for more space, with class sizes of 25 and 26 students in second-grade classrooms a particular concern.

Pat Brabant, a parent, expressed a need for adult English classes for Springs’s growing Spanish-speaking population. Another parent asked whether Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton might be included as viable high school enrollment options, as the contract with East Hampton High School is up for negotiation later this year.

Meanwhile, Chris Tucci, another parent, questioned the growing ranks of full-time, costly administrators while the hiring of support staff, he said, has dwindled by comparison.

The board will next meet on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.