09/14/2026
Welcome back to another school year, and another year of "It's Monday in Monticello."
In this episode:
- a conversation with fourth-grade Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School teachers, Ms. Roman and Ms. Carter, about the new classrooms that were completed over the summer as part of the district's capital improvement project.
- College in the Classroom Night, Sept. 14
- Board of Education meeting on Sept. 17
Plus, a belated Shana Tova to all who celebrated this weekend, plus a reminder that the district will be closed on Monday, Sept. 21 in observance of Yom Kippur.
Video transcript:
It’s Monday in Monticello — Sept. 14, 2026
Matt Evans, Superintendent: Hi, I’m Matt Evans, superintendent of the Monticello Central School District, and thank you for joining us for the Sept. 14, 2026, edition of “It’s Monday in Monticello.”
Before I get to my special guests this week, I do have a few announcements.
First and foremost, I want to welcome back all of our students, staff and community, and wish them well in this upcoming school year.
Tonight, Sept. 14, Monticello High School will host its College in the Classroom Financial Aid Night at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library.
Later this week, on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Chase Elementary School, the Board of Education will hold its regular meeting. Again, that’s at Chase Elementary at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
And now for my special guests this week. I’m joined today by Rutherford Elementary School teachers Stephanie Roman and Rebecca Carter. They’re fourth-grade teachers here at Rutherford, and we’re here today to highlight some of the renovations that took place over the summer at Rutherford Elementary School. These are part of our capital project that was approved by voters in May 2024, and we’re nearly complete here at Rutherford.
So, Ms. Carter and Ms. Roman, what are some of the improvements that were made, and how do they compare with the old Rutherford classrooms?
Stephanie Roman: Definitely the new cabinets and storage that have been added. We didn’t have a lot of space last year, so we had to put a lot of stuff near the windowsills and use those drawers, and it got a little messy. Now, it’s easier and allows for more accessibility for the students, as well as for us as teachers. I know Ms. Carter has a lot to say about it, too.
Rebecca Carter: The amount of storage that’s available now to our students is easily accessible, which makes them more independent in moving about the classroom for academic and nonacademic activities.
Matt Evans: Wonderful. That’s great. What are your initial impressions of these improvements?
Rebecca Carter: I was really pleased. It looks really nice. Although I loved the windows, having them removed has really helped reduce distractions and given us a little more learning space for posters that we create together and things like that.
Stephanie Roman: I agree. I definitely think that just having the door and the window there is enough for the kids. It avoids that distraction. They’re focused, and it looks really nice in here. It looks like a brand-new classroom. The kids are very excited by it. Even kids from last year pass by and say, “Your room looks so different,” because of all the new renovations.
Matt Evans: Speaking of that, what have students said regarding these renovations?
Stephanie Roman: The light dimming is something they really liked. Ms. Carter and I both have an issue: For her, it’s in the morning, and for me, it’s in the afternoon, when the sun hits the windows. It gets really warm. We had a lot of students last year who complained of headaches between the heat and the lights not being able to dim. There were also students who couldn’t see their papers, or who wanted light to work. Now, dimming the lights allows more darkness for students who need to avoid those headaches, while still giving students who require light to work some light. It works for both types of learners.
Matt Evans: Is there anything in the hallway that was added that benefits you or the students?
Rebecca Carter: We received a water fountain with a water-bottle filler as well. It’s right in the middle of our hallway, which has reduced the amount of time some of our students spend wandering. It’s really convenient, and we really enjoy having it there because it reduces the amount of time they’re out of the classroom.
Stephanie Roman: It’s right across the hall from my room, and it’s great. It’s right there. The kids still use their badges, but they just go across the hall. It’s easier for them to get water, and it’s colder, too. They enjoy the chill of the water. They were very excited. They said, “It’s so cold!”
Matt Evans: That’s great. My final question is: What impact do you think these improvements will have on student learning?
Rebecca Carter: As I said earlier, having the storage space and accessibility will make students more independent in their movement around the classroom. They’ll be able to access materials easily and use a variety of different things that we are now able to have because we have that storage space.
Matt Evans: Great. Anything else?
Stephanie Roman: It allows students to make the classroom their own. It’s all brand new, so they’re getting to use all these brand-new things, and they’re looking forward to every change. Our kids will walk in and say, “Oh, we have the cabinets in,” or, “We have the sink in.” They notice those little things. I think it definitely gives them a greater sense of pride in their classroom.
Matt Evans: Yes, absolutely. And we are nearly complete. There are a few doors here and there that still have to be installed, but, again, for our community: There are new cabinets, new ceilings and new flooring. Above the ceiling, to your point about the temperatures, is brand-new spray-foam insulation. All these rooms are now insulated to hopefully better control the temperature.
Thank you, Ms. Roman and Ms. Carter, and good luck this school year.
Before I wrap up this week, just a reminder that all Monticello CSD schools are closed next Monday, Sept. 21, in observance of Yom Kippur. A belated Shana Tova to all who are celebrating.
That’s it for this week. Stay well, everyone. With Monti Pride, I’m Matt Evans.
