MHS and RJK Jazz Ensembles perform in Albany - Monticello Central School District

a group of students sitting on a bus on the way up to albany The Monticello High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Andrew Verdino, and the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School Jazz Ensemble performed as part of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Music in Our Schools (MIOSM) Concert Series in Albany, New York.

The students performed on the South Concourse, visited with Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Senator Jen Metzger, and also had the opportunity to tour the Legislative Building.

"Sullivan County is on the brink of an economic revival, which is wonderful, but which has the unintended consequence of driving up the cost of materials, supplies and labor," Board President Lori Orestano-James said. "This board has been crystal clear since day one that we believe that every single one of these renovations that we presented in our proposals over the past few years is necessary. We have also been crystal clear that this board is determined to stop a cycle of kicking the can down the road when it comes to these projects and that delaying these projects will only ultimately increase the cost to our taxpayers, as we have seen with the 33% increase in the cost of this project over the past three years. Ultimately, these are repairs that will absolutely need to be made, and it is the intent of this board to minimize the taxpayer impact by packaging these repairs together as one capital project.” — Photo courtesy of Senator Jen Metzger

Lori Orestano-James said,”I was proud as State NYSSMA Advocacy Chairperson and MCSD BOE President to help chaperone this trip.”