Southampton to add after-school Spanish program

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The Southampton School Board is planning to implement an after-school program to supplement the dual-language program that already exists in the elementary school.

The after-school program would mirror the dual-language program, which offers classes in various subjects that are taught in both Spanish and English as a way of helping students who speak either language to become bilingual. That program was started in the district four years ago.

The after-school Spanish program would be held twice per week for one hour for students in kindergarten through fourth grade, according to information handed out during Tuesday’s School Board meeting. The sessions would be ongoing throughout the school year and all children would be eligible to participate.

The district is also weighing its options regarding ways to spend approximately $900,000 of Native American building aid supplied by the federal government. Superintendent Dr. J. Richard Boyes explained that the district receives the aid because the Shinnecock Indian Nation does not pay property taxes.

The district will meet with officials from the Nation regarding how to spend the money.

Some board members would like to see the money used to improve the district’s planetarium. The dome of the planetarium needs to be replaced, they said, and the system operating it needs to be switched to digital.

The district is also considering how to allocate a $5 million fund balance. Portions of the $5 million will go toward replacing the school bus fleet and repairing the school bus garage.

JESSICA DINAPOLI