School 2 persists as grant dries up

Troy

Transforming the underperforming School 2 is continuing as the three-year, $4.25 million federal School Improvement Grant that paid for expanded programs and new support service ran out at the end of the 2015-16 school year.

“We’re moving in the right direction. It’s a different feel. The atmosphere and culture is completely different,” said Troy School District Superintendent John Carmello.

The district sought the grant to help raise School 2 student performance to meet state standards when 84 percent of students were not proficient in English and math. The district is awaiting the next round of test results due for release in August by the state Education Department.

During the last three school years, School 2 has seen a 70 percent change in its faculty; has a new principal committed to staying; an extended school day with two hours of instructional time added; school uniforms; and support services for students and their families.

The faculty turnover, which was anticipated at 50 percent, has made a difference, Carmello said. “It’s people who want to do this now.”

Natelege Turner-Hassell is entering her second year as principal. She was mentored by former principal Maxine Fontroy-Ford, who’s consulting for the district at Carroll Hill Elementary School.

Turner-Hassell has had to handle the loss of funding as the grant ended. The district has secured funding of $500,000 for the upcoming 2016-17 school year and $250,000 for the following year.

She will oversee selecting support programs to continue; dealing with the return to the normal school day; and continuing to develop the supportive atmosphere for students.

“We had a lot of kids who were willing to work very hard and not give up,” Turner-Hassell said.

Turner-Hassell and Lakime Meadows, the principal assistant, said they’re encouraged that relations have strengthened with the surrounding North Central neighborhood, the city’s poorest.

During the last three years, enrollment has increased to 340 students from 301.

As a troubled school before the grant, 60 students were allowed to transfer to the district’s other elementary schools.

The school is seeking to expand opportunities to foster students’ educational curiosity.

Meadows pointed to the vacant lot across Tenth Avenue from School 2. Working with TRIP, a local housing organization, the lot will be developed into an outdoor educational center where students can study and explore nature.

The students will participate in the design and construction of the outdoor classroom. It’s expected to be completed by June 2017.

• kcrowe@timesunion. com • 518-454-5084 • @ KennethCrowe