BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Massena Central School District board members decided to not take action on a memorandum of agreement with the Massena Federation of Teachers regarding the Freshman Academy, instead opting to request a presentation for the program.

According to Board Member Daniel Susa, board members had a number of questions to ask before approving the agreement.

The Freshman Academy, which began in 2005, is a program meant to help students with the transition to high school.

The program then began to expand in 2009 before being cut in 2014 due to budget constraints.

The program then returned in 2016 and has slowly been building back up, board members said.

In years prior the Freshman Academy carried out a number of activities, including college tours to SUNY Canton and Potsdam, Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University and Paul Smith's College.

The Freshman Academy also assisted with events held in conjunction with government agencies like the U.S. District Attorney's office and Massena Drug Free Coalition to warn students of the dangers of illicit drug use.

Presentations were also previously held to promote mental health awareness and other techniques to promote positivity and messages of self value.

In 2016, school officials set about creating what has been called a foundational year that led to the development of the mission and goals for the program. Those goals were expanded upon in 2017, officials said.

New Board Member Zach Monroe said he would also like to see a presentation to better understand the "strengths and weaknesses, as well as the impacts the program has on the district as well."

It is expected that the board will discuss the program further in coming board meetings.

Haggett also spoke to the district's special education program, saying he would like a presentation to break down the elements and "lingo" of the program for district board members.

“There’s lots of lingo involved in special education a lot of us don’t understand. But, just a good review of what we offer here and what services are being provided and where students are going to get other services and so forth,” he said.