Michael McFarland called it a “very enlightening experience” as the Board of Trustees member toured the three schools on the Dutchess BOCES campus with Board President Ralph Chiumento, Jr., and Board Vice President Gully Stanford on Dec. 6.
Deputy Superintendent Jodi DeLucia, who led the tour, and Board Clerk Nancy Melilli joined the three board members on the tour.
“I’m very impressed with the principals of the buildings, how they know every student’s name and know what’s going on in every part of the building,” said McFarland, who is one of the newer members of the board and also is the board of education president for the Wappingers Central School District.
“I can’t say enough good things about Jodi – she actually knew every student’s name as we walked through these buildings. I’m very impressed with the way she interacts with the principals and the students.”
The tour began at Salt Point Center before heading to the Career & Technical Institute and Resilience Academy.
The three building principals – Salt Point Center’s Melissa Murphy, CTI’s Nick Millas and Resilience Academy’s Kiesha Tillman – led the board members on a tour of their buildings, sharing what’s happening as well as the growth in each building. CTI has added Fashion Design & Merchandising, Esthetics and HVAC programs in the last three years, and the Resilience Academy is in the process of adding a computer lab.
“I was so delighted to see our Board take such a vested interest in our students, our staff and our programs,” said DeLucia. “Being in our buildings and classrooms, with our students, teachers and staff is essential to understanding the needs of our programs and the very important work that our faculty and staff do every day to meet every student’s needs.
“It makes me so happy when our board members have the opportunity to interact with our students and experience the critical impact we have on the students that we serve. It is exciting to see them experience our growth and success firsthand.”
