Message From the Superintendent
Dr. James Hunderfund,
Superintendent MUFSD
Dear Friends, Parents and Community members,
As we approach the midpoint of our school year, I am pleased to report that our students have demonstrated exceptional academic progress through increased honor roll attainment, scholar-athlete achievement and several notable performance/competition accolades during the first semester. Despite the devastation and flooding from the storm of the century, the students in each of our schools responded with food drives and volunteer efforts to help those in need. In the wake of Long Island recovery efforts, we were also jolted by the horror of the school tragedy in Connecticut. Please be assured that our security measures were reviewed and reinforced as an immediate priority. Also, our school camera surveillance systems and entry admissions lock requirements were reviewed for any upgrades or improvements for the future.
As we enter the critical months ahead, our 2013-14 budget for will be developed. Please help us by sharing your ideas and insights during the budget workshops that are scheduled on the board meeting calendar. Our school district will be challenged to provide the necessary resources required by the NYS mandates for the new Common Core Curriculum, Professional Evaluation Systems, PARRC Academic Standards for student achievement and the higher standards for the state assessments. Coupled with the state mandated requirements are contractual obligations, fixed cost increases and educational program improvements that must somehow be included within the restricted budget cap. To be in compliance with the tax levy requirements, the district’s budget will, of necessity, be forced to make reductions in current programs and personnel in order to provide all mandated requirements. Unfortunately, we are back to those “Rock and Hard Place” choices that will require careful scrutiny of all possible reductions in spending.
Like all other school districts, we have no choice but to move forward and make the tough decisions that will serve the best interests of our students and community. I am confident, that we can weather the storm by working together as a school-community united by our concern for the educational needs of the children we serve.
Sincerely,
James H. Hunderfund, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Malverne Students Improve Academically Throughout 2011-2012 School Year;
Positive Trend Noted Over Past Four Years
Students throughout the Malverne School District have once again demonstrated academic improvement and success for the 2011-2012 school year. Based on a variety of measures, including state assessments, Advanced Placement (AP) results and Regents examination scores, the district is proud to announce that over the past four years, it has seen positive academic growth.
During the 2011-2012 school year, 172 AP exams were administered. Fifty-nine percent of students achieved a score of three or higher, a significant increase from only 14 percent reaching the same level in 2008. The number of students who achieved scores of four or five also dramatically rose from four percent in 2008 to 30 percent in 2012. This represents an overall increase in “high” scores in excess of more than 700 percent during this time period. As a testament to the school’s continued improvement on AP exams, the College Board awarded Malverne High School with “Recognition of Excellence” this past year.
Regents examination results also indicate positive academic growth for Malverne over the past several years. For example, the district realized a 27 percent increase in the number of students passing the Algebra 2/Trigonometry Regents exam, as 70 percent of students passed, compared to only 43 percent just two years ago. Furthermore, the number of students passing the English Regents exam increased from 76 percent in 2009-2010 to 93 percent in 2011-2012, while the number of students passing the Geometry Regents examination during that same time period rose from 63 to 80 percent. Perhaps the most indicative sign of success, however, is demonstrated in the high number of Regents diplomas awarded to Class of 2012 graduates; 96 percent of graduates earned this distinguished diploma, a record high for Malverne High School.
Further illustrating Malverne students’ academic improvement, performance on New York State assessments has increased slightly. Since last year, the percentage of students passing the math and ELA assessments in grades four and eight has improved. On the math assessment, 81.8 percent of fourth-graders and 78 percent of eighth-graders received passing scores, an increase from 78 and 86.5 percent, respectively, in 2010-2011.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jim Hunderfund said, “I am extremely proud of Malverne students for their continued effort in achieving at their highest potential. It is important for us to focus on the overall positive trajectory that our district has seen over the past several years. While there is certainly still room for growth for higher student performance on state assessments and other exams, I am encouraged by the trends our district has realized. In time, I am confident that this will lead to a greater percentage of students not only passing, but excelling on state assessments.”
In addition to academic growth, Malverne has seen a change in student character development, as well. District statistics prove that Malverne students are becoming more involved in pro-social volunteerism and school organizations. District administrators have also seen a significant decrease in the suspension rates at both the middle school and high school (a decrease of 58 and 70 percent, respectively), a direct result of the district’s character education program that was implemented several years ago.
“As we move forward, Malverne administrators, teachers and staff will continue to work with students on developing their full academic potential, as well as emphasize the importance of character education,” Dr. Hunderfund stated. “Over the past four years, we have made great progress, and I look forward to continuing in this direction.”