Board of Education Recap

In case you weren't able to attend Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting, below is a short list of some of the issues discussed.

• The Board honored the students of the month October. From Calabro: Eashan Patel; Connors: Marissa Hernandez; Wallace: Kianna Santiago and from Hoboken High School: Jennifer Tu.
• Three members of the Entrepeneur Club presented themselves to the Board of Education, telling them that they'll be selling Hoboken items at the school and at football games. Junior Kaylah Linton, Sophomore Jasmin Rojas and senior Hector Rodriguez briefly informed the board members. Board Member Frances Rhodes Kearns bought a sweatshirt later that evening.
• Hoboken said goodbye to Athletic Director Maurice DeGennaro, who has worked for the district for 38 years. DeGennaro will be retiring and leaving the school district. "Once a Redwing, always a Redwing," DeGennaro said after thanking the board. 
• The board appointed Patricia Waiters, , to the Early Childhood Program Advisory Council. After some discussion about the legality of the move, Waiters was appointed, if indeed in accordance with the bylaws of . 
• Assistant Superintendent Miguel Hernandez presented the graduation rate to the board, telling them that 87 percent of Hoboken High School students graduated last school year. In total, ten students of roughly 126 students didn't graduate high school. Of the class of 2010, 67 went on to four-year colleges; 49 went on to two-year colleges, two students went to work and of six it was unclear what they went on to do. No students went into the army. Board Member Carmelo Garcia asked how the gap would be closed and how 100 percent graduation rate would be achieved. Hernandez said that, among other things, smartboards would be implemented in the curriculum.
• Teachers Rob Felicetta and Fran Cohen presented the new gifted and talented program for the school district.
• Business Administrator Robert Davis announced that the has begun. 
• A cafe will be opened in the Hoboken High School.
• A new school play will be performed on December 9.