Dear Community Resident,

On Thursday, October 30th, the first meeting of the Wappingers Central School District’s Master Plan Steering Committee held its initial meeting at the John Jay High School at 7:00 p.m.. The committee has a planned membership of sixty individuals representing a cross-section of community residents, elected officials and district employees. Forty-three committee members were in attendance.

The meeting was conducted by Mr. Paul Abramson President of the consulting firm, Stanton Leggett & Associates, engaged by the Board of Education to facilitate the development of the District’s Master Plan.

The meeting’s agenda was as follows:

1. What is a master plan and how will it be carried out?

A. Role of the consulting firm
B. Role of the committee

2. A review of actions and findings to this point.

3. Community input: What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses (needs) of the Wappingers Central School district?

Open roundtable discussion with each participant asked to give his/her name, affiliation and/or relationship to the school district. All comments are to be accepted without debate. Clarification may be requested at times.

4. Future meetings dates and venues.

The charge to the committee as adopted by resolution of the Board of Education was stated:

Resolved that the Board of Education of the Wappingers Central School District charges the District Master Plan Steering Committee with the responsibility of developing options for a districtwide master plan for the Board of Education’s consideration. The final report shall be provided to the Board of Education by June 1, 2004.

As information is provided to and generated by the committee it will be made available to the community via the district’s webpage and via news releases to the local newspapers. I will be making you aware of our website posting updates as we move forward.

The next committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at a site within the district to be determined.

Regards,
Dick Powell
Superintendent of Schools