Plus, other highlights from March 21 meeting

By Lily Gordon

Haldane High School would like to institute an athletic hall of fame on the wall of the gymnasium alongside banners that honor basketball players who have scored at least 1,000 points in their careers and cross-country record holders, pending board approval.

The hall of fame would recognize students who graduated at least five years prior to induction, as well as coaches and teams, said Athletic Director Chris Salumn.

Salumn told the board he envisions a nine-person committee comprised of three Haldane coaches, a school administrator, a community member, the president of the Blue Devil Booster Club, two alumni and one retired employee. Salumn will oversee the group. The bylaws and details on nomination will be published by early May and inductees will be celebrated annually at a homecoming ceremony.

While the 1,000-point club is a traditional way to recognize basketball players, a hall of fame would recognize athletes from all sports, bring alumni back to visit and highlight improvements to the athletic program, he said.

In other business…

  • Morgan Hotaling, a senior at Haldane High School, was honored as a Student of Distinction by Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES. Hotaling, who will attend Orange County Community College next year, plans to pursue a career as a physical therapist.
  • Haldane freshmen saw Phantom of the Opera on Broadway on March 30; sophomores visited Washington, D.C., from March 28 to 31; and the senior class left for a Habitat for Humanity service trip in New Orleans on March 28.
  • The gymnasium was filled to capacity for all three performances of Into the Woods on March 17, 18, and 19.
  • The board projected there will be two kindergarten classes next year (there are 39 students enrolled), three first-grade classes and likely four second-grade classes (up from three).
  • Business Manager Anne Dinio proposed the purchase of a bus at $110,000 and maintenance equipment including a rider mower and utility tractor for $40,000 that won’t require payment until the 2018-19 budget year.
  • Because the district had five snow days this year, school will be in session on Friday, May 26.
  • The board approved the 2017-18 school calendar. The first day of school will be Tuesday, Sept. 5.
  • Putnam County has declared April to be Teen Driver Safety Awareness Month. Students who participate will receive preferred parking spots.
  • The annual budget vote and trustee election is May 16.

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.