By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM – The Potsdam Central Board of Education heard presentations from the Speech and Debate Team who are requesting permission for a trip and the proposed National Junior Art Honor Society who are looking to create a new club.

The Speech and Debate Team asked the BOE for approval, at its Tuesday meeting, to travel April 28-30 to Hofstra University in Hempstead to attend the state tournament.

“The Board will likely take action at the next meeting, but I anticipate they will approve this,” PCS Superintendent Joann Chambers said.

“They have been a very successful team in recent years,” she said. “Students at the presentation said if they finish in first or second place at regional competitions they earn a half point toward the state competition.”

The trip will include about five to nine students and at least one chaperone, advisor Pamela Dumas.

PCS will split the cost of transportation with Edwards-Knox Central for the trip. Students would depart around noon April 28 and return on April 30.

In other news, A. A. Kingston Middle School is looking to start a chapter of the National Junior Art Honor Society.

Kristin Towne made a presentation to the BOE seeking for approval of a new club, the National Junior Art Honor Society.

The club would recognize artistic and academic achievement as well as promote community involvement relating to arts. The objective is to create enthusiasm for and celebrate achievement in the visual arts as well as service, leadership, and to encourage the development of character in all students at A. A. Kingston Middle School.

To be eligible, students must maintain an art average of 95 or above and a cumulative average of 88 or higher. Membership will be based on a cumulative average calculated at the end of 7th grade and the first two marking periods of 8th grade and an Art average that is cumulative starting in 6th grade. Candidates will also be judged by a faculty committee in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

“Students also expressed interest in working with elementary students with art projects,” she said.

Chambers said the Board will likely make a decision at the next meeting, Feb. 28.

Also at the meeting the retirements of three teachers were approved including Tammy Madeja, high school choral teacher; Heather Cowen-Wilson, health teacher and Robin Hart, special education teacher.

The BOE accepted the resignation of bus driver Rodney Baxter and accepted the retirement of Charlene Randall, who will retire April of 2018.