Stephen R. Aiello files, 1974-1980
Scope and Contents
The Stephen R. Aiello Files document the work of a member of the Board of Education, from 1974-1980. The records were found combined with those of Irene Impellizzeri, Aiello’s successor, and separated. Because of the location and the small number of files, the possibility exists that these may be only a remnant of a larger set of records.
The main body of records are arranged in subseries I, Subject Files. The subseries focuses on administrative and policy concerns from 1974-1980. These topics encompass budgets, finances, union contracts, legislation and audits, perhaps related to the need for economic responsibility during fiscal hardship. Additional issues that appear include special education, career education, drug abuse prevention, health education and child guidance. After Stephen Aiello became Board president, city, state and federal political representatives as well as organizations such as New Horizons and media outlets such as the Daily News sent requests for assistance, often on behalf of individuals. Although Aiello’s term began in 1974, two 1971 manual proposals, for system-wide procedures and personnel policies, are included.
The second subseries, Community School Districts, reveals the interactions between the Board of Education and the local school boards during 1975-1980. No records from 1974 have been located. While issues such as budget cuts, legislation, school construction, audits and reading scores affected many, if not all, of the school districts, the discussions reflect the needs of the individual boards. Parents’ complaints about the lack of communication with the local boards, the excessing of teachers and reading/writing tests also appear in the subseries.
The final subseries encompasses a set of chronological correspondence. The correspondence covers only the years 1978-1980, a portion of Stephen Aiello’s time as Board president. The files comprise mostly copies, but some drafts, of his outgoing correspondence. Many topics found in the other subseries, such as Holocaust curriculum, drug abuse programs, high schools, school legislation and school buildings, are also located here. Thank you letters and responses to invitations, both sent for professional and personal events, are included.
The main body of records are arranged in subseries I, Subject Files. The subseries focuses on administrative and policy concerns from 1974-1980. These topics encompass budgets, finances, union contracts, legislation and audits, perhaps related to the need for economic responsibility during fiscal hardship. Additional issues that appear include special education, career education, drug abuse prevention, health education and child guidance. After Stephen Aiello became Board president, city, state and federal political representatives as well as organizations such as New Horizons and media outlets such as the Daily News sent requests for assistance, often on behalf of individuals. Although Aiello’s term began in 1974, two 1971 manual proposals, for system-wide procedures and personnel policies, are included.
The second subseries, Community School Districts, reveals the interactions between the Board of Education and the local school boards during 1975-1980. No records from 1974 have been located. While issues such as budget cuts, legislation, school construction, audits and reading scores affected many, if not all, of the school districts, the discussions reflect the needs of the individual boards. Parents’ complaints about the lack of communication with the local boards, the excessing of teachers and reading/writing tests also appear in the subseries.
The final subseries encompasses a set of chronological correspondence. The correspondence covers only the years 1978-1980, a portion of Stephen Aiello’s time as Board president. The files comprise mostly copies, but some drafts, of his outgoing correspondence. Many topics found in the other subseries, such as Holocaust curriculum, drug abuse programs, high schools, school legislation and school buildings, are also located here. Thank you letters and responses to invitations, both sent for professional and personal events, are included.
Extent
9 cubic feet (18 boxes)
Dates
1974-1980
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research with the exception of a select number of series containing restricted records. More information can be found within the series-level description for those series affected. Advance notice is required for using original material. Please contact us to arrange access.
Additional Description
Arrangement
The files are organized into three subseries, reflecting the original order of the records.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The records were transferred to the Municipal Archives by the Department of Education in 2004 from the former Board of Education headquarters at 110 Livingston Street.
Processing Information
They were organized and inventoried by the Municipal Archives in a project supported by the New York State Archives under its Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund.