They were representatives of the Herricks Middle School government who met with members of the Herricks Board of Education at last Thursday’s meeting, but their concerns were anything but kid stuff.
Herricks Middle School student president Christina Litos diplomatically led off the annual meeting between the two governing bodies by thanking the school board for the upgraded locker rooms, continued support of the school lunch program and the school trips. That included the 6th grade Frost Valley trip, the 7th grade Boston trip and the boat trip she said was personally looking forward to as an eighth grader.
But before discussing the “wish list” the students were about to present, Litos made a plea for the board to save teachers’ jobs and school programs.
“We are willing to give up everything on our list as long as you don’t cut any more programs or lay off any more people,” Litos said. “We need these people and our programs to prepare us to take care of all of you when we are adults.”
Herricks Board of Education President Christine Turner has said that as the district struggles to stay within the state’s 2 percent tax cap, it may be forced to cut staff next year if the teachers association does not forego scheduled salary increases. The teachers association is awaiting a response to the proposal it made to the Herricks Board of Education on amending its current contract. Last year, the district laid off 63 employees in passing a $98.9 million budget for the current year.
After she and her fellow officers presented their lists, Litsos told the board members that the issue of teacher layoffs had touched her own life when her mother, Maria, was laid off from her job as a teacher at St. Demetrius School in Jamaica this year.
“I’ve been personally affected by this,” she said.
“It’s difficult times. And you’re living through this with your mom, so you know,” said Herricks School Board President Christine Turner.
Litos offered a few suggestions on cost-cutting measures for the school: using less paper, not replacing current textbooks and renting the middle school playing fields.
“Your ability to relate both to students and adults inspires us,” Herricks Middle School principal Joan Keegan told Litos.
The student government committee reports included:
• Ashwin Viswanathan, chairperson of the fundraiser committee, suggesting a culture sale – instead of a bake sale – featuring desert from different cultures; a mid-year school supply sale; toy drives and book drives for needy children and a food drive for needy families. Visnawathan said the school is planning a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with the National Junior Honor Society where baked goods will be sold, with proceeds going to cancer research.
• Student government vice president Chase McGahan suggesting an improved ventilation system in the gym and cafeteria; new supplies of soap and paper towels, and new mirrors in the bathrooms; repairs to the football and soccer fields, and repair of cracks, and repainting of the school’s outdoor track.
• Randi Sarf, activities committee chair, suggesting four academic pep rallies around Academic Spirit Week to do “fun activities” in classes; four athletic pep rallies and student news to be posted on the Middle School Web site student page.
• Nevin Nambiar, dance committee chair, suggesting passing around sheets for students to make song requests at school dances and a dance-off between students and teachers.
• Litos, public relations committee chair, suggesting that music be played prior to morning announcements to “wake students up”; daily current events announcements, both local and world events; creating a student newspaper to let everyone know about upcoming events.
