By: Jason Scheer
Two new administrators will be at the helm this month. Michael Roccoforte, formerly the director of curriculum technology and instructional support service, will serve as assistant superintendent for instruction, and Shirley Martin, new to the district, will take over as assistant superintendent for human resources.
A number of new courses will be offered to district students, including two new science electives - forensic science and marine biology - and an advanced-placement English language and composition course for high school students.
In the middle school, the advisory program has been extended to eighth-graders, and new clubs, including Mathletes and Chess and Dance, have been formed. Also new this year is a middle school newspaper and a peer-awareness conflict team.
The district is currently in the midst of an extensive reconstruction program aimed at modernizing and improving its facilities. The middle-school roof was replaced during the summer, and more work is scheduled throughout the year, including renovations of science labs and the outdoor tracks at both the middle and high schools, the main entrance to the high school and the middle-school art and technology room.
The district's superintendent for business, Ed Cigna, says the renovations are part of a three-year, $26.9 million plan approved by voters on Feb. 4.
The district also has made strides in technology. This year the district's Wide Area Network is fully operational, and teachers can share resources, use video-streaming technology and access the Internet through a high-speed connection.
Finally, a total of 38 people will assume new positions. Some of them have moved from one position to another within the district, and others are joining the district for the first time.
Matt Korsky, the new phys. ed. teacher at Lenox Elementary School, is excited about the beginning of the new school year. "I can't wait for the year to start," he said.
Michelle Maresca, the new French teacher at the middle school, echoed Korsky's sentiments. "I'm very excited," she said. "Baldwin's a great place to work, and the community is a great place to be."
School is scheduled to start on Thursday, Sept. 2.
