Esslie-Frenia Law June 2023 Leaderboard

Hudson picks Charles Parmentier to fill school board vacancy

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HUDSON–Charles Parmentier joined the Hudson City School District (HCSD) Board of Education at its meeting, Monday, September 24. The board is now back to seven members and has its first male member since last November.

Mr. Parmentier replaces Sumayyah Shabazz, who resigned in August. Originally from the Syracuse area, he said, he majored in business at SUNY Plattsburgh, has worked for New York State for decades, and has lived in the Hudson District for 34 years. His children have attended Hudson High School: two already graduated, one still in school.

His wife teaches at Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School (MCS). When board member Sage Carter asked what he would do in teacher contract negotiations, he said he would recuse himself.

Four candidates applied to fill the vacancy on the board. “We’ve never seen so many people” interested in the position at one time, a board member remarked. At the meeting, each candidate stood and spoke about themselves. Then the five board members present designated their choice on paper. At least four picked Mr. Parmentier.

Charles Parmentier

He will stay on the Board until the May 2019 elections. He would have to run for election if he wished to continue serving on the board after that date. Also at that time other board terms will expire, and Superintendent Maria L Suttmeier told the other three candidates–Ross Diener, Marta Eisner and Matt Parker–that she hopes to see them run for a seat then.

Also at the meeting, Dr. Suttmeier and the board welcomed Jennifer Econopouly as a new school psychologist for MCS. Ms. Econopouly attended the University of Arizona and worked for years in Colorado and Wyoming, but she said she is originally from the Hudson Valley.

Student Representative Kyle Ublacker said that the Student Council hopes to resurrect Field Day after a hiatus of two years as one of the activities in the week leading up to the Homecoming football game. The game will take place Friday, October 12. Field Day, the afternoon before, will include a variety of games for students and faculty.

“We’re hoping to have so many activities” that everybody will stay at school, Kyle said. In addition, he hopes it will encourage bonding between students and teachers outside a classroom setting. The week also will include a Powder Puff Wednesday and class shirt decorating.

Assistant Superintendent for School Improvement April Prestipino reported that the number of students in the district who are new immigrants to the United States has dropped sharply. Therefore, the district will receive no Title III Part A funds for such students this year. Last year it received $23,600 for that purpose. The district is continuing to receive funds under the same title and part for English as a New Language (ENL) instruction. For that, this year the HCSD will receive $24,800, which Ms.Prestipino hopes to put toward after school ENL (in Extended Learning Time) and starting an ENL program with two teachers at the district’s Summer Academy.

The next meeting of the HCSD Board of Education will be Monday, October 22, at the Hudson High School library. It will start at 6 p.m. with a curriculum workshop and continue to the regular meeting at 7 p.m.

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