The Ellenville Central School District Board of Education voted on July 5 to make the Daily Freeman, a Kingston-based newspaper that doesn’t regularly cover its school board meetings, the school’s paper of record, voting against using the local Ellenville paper, the Shawangunk Journal, for its announcements.

Votes were as follows:

Yes: Julius Collins, Iris Friedman, Phil Mattracion

No: Willie Bruce, John Burns, Lisa Ramirez, Daniel McQuillan

Trustee Jody Little was absent.

The Freeman is under the umbrella of one of the largest hedge fund-owned media chains in the country.

Despite this move, the Shawangunk Journal will continue to cover each school board meeting and related school and student activities as it has since its founding.

Contracts, Vacancies

Following Wayne Storey’s surprise and sudden exit from the board last month, the district is searching for candidates for the empty seat. Superintendent Lisa Wiles said they have eight candidates so far, but more are sought.

The district has only 17 certified substitute teachers at present, along with 36 uncertified teachers. Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Kelly White said a job fair would be held in August. Board member John Burns wondered whether the pay level needed to be raised, in the light of serious competition for certified teachers in the region.

The board approved a new contract for Superintendent Lisa Wiles, which will be effective from 2022 to 2027. Board President Phil Mattracion praised Wiles and said, “We have the best superintendent in the area.”

Wiles responded, saying “I work for the best district.”

Other News

Wiles explained that the drainage work on the Liepol field will either disrupt the soccer season or the spring sports season. It appeared from her comments that the work will begin this fall and the soccer teams will need to find a new home for this year’s varsity seasons.

A first reading of a policy change, Policy #3130, “Communicating with the Community,” brought opposition from board members John Burns and Julius Collins. Burns felt that this policy would allow anonymous comments and calls. Collins recommended changes be made. The board tabled the policy change, on a vote of 4-1, with board member Lisa Ramirez in the minority.

Collins also commented on the July 4 parade and the high school float. “There was a wonderful spirit about the parade and the float was great.”

Wiles added that the students “put a lot of work into decorating the float.”