By CRISTINE MEIXNER

Express Editor

WELLS - The Wells Central School District Board of Education is in the process of adopting a Sex Offender Notification Policy.

The board approved the proposed policy for a first reading Sept. 18. To become policy, it must be approved for a second reading, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 17.

The action was apparently prompted by the relocation of a male Level 2 sex offender to Wells who was convicted of sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl.

The proposed policy says, “The Board of Education recognizes its duty to take all appropriate measures to protect the students and staff members while they are under the care and custody of the District.”

To that end, the policy says the superintendent shall notify all staff, both instructional and non-instructional, who might come into contact with an offender in the course of doing their jobs of pertinent information, including photographs, regarding sex offenders of whom the district has been notified by local law enforcement.

Also, “The District will provide general information to appropriate members of the community or community groups, as determined by the Superintendent.”

The complete text of the proposed policy can be obtained from the school.

TEACHER REVIEWS

Superintendent Thomas Sincavage reported the final plan for the state-mandated Annual Professional Performance Review is not ready, as there have been some changes on the state’s part.

To secure federal Race to the Top funds the state Legislature approved an amendment to NYS Education Law in May 2010 regarding the APPR of teachers and principals.

A large percentage of a teacher’s evaluation must be collectively bargained at each school district, including classroom observation procedures, the appeals process, Teacher Improvement Plan procedures and measures of student achievement.

Districts must have approved APPRs by Jan. 17, 2013 in order to receive their 2012-13 state aid increase. The state Education Depart-ment’s review can take four to six weeks, according to Commissioner John B. King Jr.

OTHER BUSINESS

• The 2012/2013 Distance Learning Lease Agreement with Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES was approved. Under it the school will provide a room for distance learning classes, which BOCES will lease for $1,000.

• The loading dock outside the cafeteria is disintegrating into a hazard and will need to be replaced.

• Jenna Palmieri was approved as a certified substitute teacher, MaryEllen Stofelano as a cafeteria substitute and Gwen Cole as a non-certified teacher / teacher assistant substitute.

• Dayna Fisher will coach elementary soccer, assisted by Parris Beach.

• The school is selling a 40-gallon soup kettle. The minimum bid is $300.