Representative to the Amity BOE
Dear Visitor,
As Student Representative to The Amity Board of Education, it is my job to make sure that the students voices are heard during board meetings. This page will be updated regularly showing the reports I have given to the board. Please feel free to look around this page. If you would like to discuss issues that you have or ideas that you have to improve the school, please do not hesitate to send me an email. My contact information can be found on the “Contact Us” page on this website.
Sincerely,
Thomas Falcigno
Representative to the Amity Board of Education
Recent News:
UPDATE: A statement will be released regarding the vote to name the auditorium after Superintendent Dr. Brady once all discussion on the issue has ceased.
Superintendent Search Press Release
To Whom It May Concern:
As announced at the November Board Of Education Meeting, the current Superintendent Dr. John Brady is retiring at the end of the school year. This leaves the board of education to decide on who will become the next superintendent.
The Board of Education’s job is to make sure that the process of choosing the next superintendent is as smooth as it could be with community, parent, and student input. In past years, the student input has been low when it comes to this significant process. As Student Representative to the Board of Education, I would like to see much more student involvement in the process of choosing the next superintendent. To begin this involvement process, I would like to see students fill out a survey on what they want to see in their next superintendent. The link to this survey will be posted at the bottom of this press release.
In truth, the students of Amity receive very few chances to make an impact on certain school issues. By taking the time to fill out this survey, I believe that we can have, as students, a large impact in the process of choosing of our next superintendent.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Falcigno
Student Representative to the Amity Board of Education
Artificial Turf Field Press Release
To Whom It May Concern:
At the January Board of Education Meeting, the board took up the issue of a turf field being installed at the high school. I rose in strong support of the proposal and I was very happy to see the board pass this proposal unanimously. I would like to send my appreciation and thanks to those who worked on this proposal and I would like to thank the Amity Board of Education who has continuously supported athletics at Amity. I believe that a turf field will greatly enhance the athletic program at Amity and I am excited to see the proposal passed.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Falcigno
Student Representative to the Amity Board of Education
Referendum Vs. District Meeting Press Release
To Whom It May Concern:
At the January Finance Committee Meeting, I spoke is support of the voting process for the 2012 Amity Budget to remain a referendum. This will make it much easier for the majority of seniors who can vote in the referendum to vote quickly instead of staying at a two hour plus district meeting. I am glad to see the the board decided to stay with the referendum process. I believe that this process will create more participation from seniors and all who can vote on the Amity budget.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Falcigno
Student Representative to the Amity Board of Education
Parking Fee Press Release
To Whom It May Concern:
On December 12th, of 2011, after long consideration, the Amity Board of Education finally took action on the Amity Student Government endorsed parking fee revision. I am delighted to see that it passed unanimously through both the finance committee and the board of education. This policy is about fairness and equality for the students of Amity High School. The parking fee revision makes certain that if students want to park at Amity High School, they are getting their monies worth for their parking space.
Although this revision is not the revision that I would have liked to see passed, this revision proves that the students and the Amity Board of Education can work together in finding common ground over issues like this parking policy. I believe that students should not have to pay more than $50.00 to park at Amity. Many other high schools in our area like Foran High School in Milford, Connecticut requires their students to pay nothing to park at their high school. Unfortunately, the Amity Board of Education did not see my view. They were, however, open to amending the current policy. I used this as an opportunity to work with the board to come to a fair resolution on this issue. Once I received the administration’s approval and support, I was confident that this policy would pass. At the December Board of Education meeting, the revision passed unanimously and it will go into effect at the beginning of the 3rd marking period.
I would strongly encourage students to wait until the beginning of the 3rd making period if they are considering buying a parking pass. If they choose to take my recommendation, they will be paying $50.00 for the rest of the year. If a student buys at the beginning of the 4th making period, this student would pay $25.00 for the remaining days of school.
Before I close, I would like to thank the Amity Board of Education and the administration for their support of this policy. Thank You.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Falcigno
Student Representative to the Amity Board of Education
Parking Fee Proposal (Passed by BOE 12/12/11)
To: Amity Board of Education and Dr. John Brady
From: Thomas A. Falcigno, Dr. Charles Britton
Date: Monday, November 14, 2011
Re: Revision to Student Parking Policy; Fee Structure
Under the current parking policy at Amity High School, a student may have the privilege to park a vehicle at the school provided the student pays a fee of $100.00 per academic year. This fee is a standing fee regardless of the juncture of the school year at which the parking application is made.
By illustration, a student who obtains a driver’s license or a vehicle in September can pay the $100.00 fee at the beginning of the academic year and have parking privileges throughout the entire school year. However, a student who obtains a driver’s license or a vehicle in March must pay the same $100.00 fee for a much shorter period of time.
My understanding from many students is that they will not pay the full fee for only a portion of the school year, as it simply does not make economic sense. In fact, the later in the academic calendar, the less likely the student will seek a parking pass. As such, the current policy fails to consider the loss of revenue from those students who obtain a license or a vehicle later in the year.
As I proposed at the October Board of Education meeting, I believe that the current Student Parking Policy be revised. The parking fee should be charged on a marking period basis rather than solely on a full academic year basis. Therefore, the fee of $25.00 can be payable at the beginning of each marking period.
This revised fee structure offers the flexibility for students to pay $25.00 at any point during the academic year (i.e., at the beginning of the second, third and fourth marking periods), and also allows for students to pay for the full $100.00 fee up front at the beginning of the academic year. By presenting this option to the students, I believe this will ultimately increase parking revenue for the school.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
Thomas A. Falcigno
Student Representative to the Amity Board of Education
Dr. Charles Britton
Principal of Amity High School
March 2012
Thomas Falcigno reported that the Student Government Food Drive is taking place from March 19, 2012 to April 1, 2012. CAPT Testing is taking place and he wished luck to the sophomores. He wished good luck to the athletes on the spring sports teams. The Junior Prom will be held on May 5. The Billy Joel tribute band Big Shot will be playing soon. The Amity Regional High School Theater Department will be presenting Legally Blonde. More information about performances is available at the Drama Department’s website.
February 2012
Thomas Falcigno said students at the High School are getting ready for the CAPT test. The Mr. Spartan contest will take place this Thursday. The Amity Math Team recently earned an award and will be invited to participate in a state competition. The Amity High School Student Government recently collected clothes for battered women.
January 2012
Finance Meeting
Thomas Falcigno, student representative, commented that if the District moved to a District Meeting, most of the senior class would not vote. He recommended continuation of a budget referendum versus District Meeting.
BOE Meeting January
Thomas Falcigno reported that auditions for the musical Legally Blonde were taking place during the week. The High School’s Link Crew is planning activities. On behalf of the students, Thomas expressed support for the turf field being proposed. He thanked the Board for supporting athletics at Amity.
December 2011
Finance Committee
Discussion and Possible Action on Parking Fee Proposal (memorandum dated 12/02/2011)
The proposal comes from the high school Student Government, represented by Thomas Falcigno and supported by the administrators. Jamie Stirling asked it was possible for a student to purchase parking passes a quarter at a time; Jack Levine said this had been discussed but the current proposal is easier to put into effect.
Motion to recommend to the Amity Board of Education that the fee structure for student parking be changed so students are charged $100 at the start of the academic year; $75 at the beginning of the second marking period; $50 at the beginning of the third marking period; and $25 at the beginning of the fourth marking period. Fees will not be refunded to students for non-use of parking. Parking stickers issued to one student may not be transferred to a different student (Matthew Giglietti, 2d Janet Brunwin).
Discussion: none further.
BOE Meeting (Dec.)
Thomas Falcigno reported on student activities at the high school: the Homecoming Dance, Spirit Week, the Greater New Haven Math League Competition hosted by Amity (where the home team placed 3rd after Choate & Hopkins), the competition to join a regional youth orchestra, a debate tournament hosted by Amity, and the play Almost Maine, which was also part of the Guidance Department program.
Discussion and Possible Action on Parking Fee Proposal
John Brady recapped Tom Falcigno’s presentation at the Oct. ABOE meeting. Refined proposal before them now may result in better revenue for the district. The Finance committee approved this item.
Motion that the fee structure for student parking be changed so students are charged $100 at the start of the academic year; $75 at the beginning of the second marking period; $50 at the beginning of the third marking period; and $25 at the beginning of the fourth marking period. Fees will not be refunded to students for non-use of parking. Parking stickers issued to one student may not be transferred to a different student (Diane Crocco, 2d Christopher Browe).
Discussion: Board members asked questions and discussed details. Refunds on parking fees are not possible but are seldom requested. There have been no comments from the public on this arrangement so far. Tom Hurley wondered if the Board should consider some condition on the proposal, in case it does not result in more revenue; Bill Blake recommended testing this proposal first.
Vote in favor: Julie Altman, Christopher Browe, Patricia Cardozo, Sue Cohen, Diane Crocco, Steven DeMaio, Rita Gedansky, John Grasso, Thomas Hurley, Tracey Lane Russo, James Stirling
Vote opposed: none.
Abstain: none.
Motion passed.
November 2011
Thomas Falcigno said that the Homecoming Dance will be held Friday, November 18th from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Tickets are $10. The American Red Cross collected 84 pints of blood during the recent blood drive. The Theater Department will be selling all types of items at an Estate sale on Saturday, November 19th at the High School. Spirit Week will begin Monday with Black and Gold Day and other themes will take place on different days. Amity took JSA best speaker at a recent event and a number of students won gavels for their participation. The Girls’ Soccer team lost to Cheshire, but had a good year.
Discussion: James Stirling asked what topics are discussed at JSA. Thomas said that there were questions about FEMA and the euro, among others.
October 2011
Thomas Falcigno said that a tailgate on October 28th is open to all freshmen. The Amity National Honor Society is co-sponsoring a blood drive. A peer tutoring program is starting. The Amity Music Department is working on the show Music in Motion. The Theater Department will be producing Almost, Maine. Bracelets to benefit breast cancer research will soon be sold. Thomas outlined a plan to help students by reducing the burden of parking fees. His plan would charge students $25 per school quarter, rather than $100 for the year. He said that he conducted some research and found that Amity has one of the highest parking fees in the area. Other schools that he contacted charged $25 or less.
Discussion: Ms. Altman said that Thomas seems to have some good ideas and suggested he take up the bathroom problem. Thomas said that he has been discussing ways to fix the problem.
September 2011
Thomas Falcigno said that Club Day is scheduled for Thursday, September 22nd. The rain date is Friday, September 23rd. Student Government will hold its first meeting soon. Mr. Blake asked how the new eight period schedule is working out. Tom said the students seem to prefer the new schedule compared with last year’s schedule.
August 2011
Thomas Falcigno said that at an upcoming event on August 26th, Amity Link Crew will be welcoming students. There will be ice breakers and students will have an opportunity to get to know each other better. He also thanked all those involved in creating the new eight period schedule.
