by Phillip Zema
The District accepted a bid to complete stabilization work at the BES. The bid encompasses work to stabilize and encapsulate lead in the building’s interior, remove lead paint from its entryways and scrape the interior of at least one rescue window in each classroom. The project will cost $274,350 and most, if not all, of the interior work will be done over Christmas break.
Board Member John Nash inquired about what would happen if the interior work was not completed over break. Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian Howard replied that the work was likely to be completed on time but in case it was not several snow/emergency days may be used. In a worst case scenario he said that sessions may be held at the high school. He added that the latter scenario was not likely and that the winning bidder made no indication that the stabilization work would not be completed in time.
Beverly Stewart asked whether the exterior work would potentially create a dust hazard. Howard claimed that the exterior work would include necessary lead dust removal.
During the public comment session it was asked whether the District would consider putting students back in Stephentown and Grafton, especially until the work was finished. Howard responded that, at least in the short term, there would be logistical problems (especially concerning space) with putting 400 students into these buildings. Nash, however, emphasized that Grafton and Stephentown could hold 200 and 150 students respectively and that the high school could, if necessary, accommodate the remaining students. He also thought the work should be done when the building would be unoccupied for an extensive period of time.
Several audience members were concerned that the BOE and Administration were not being fully transparent, especially regarding the lead issue and stabilization work. There was concern that the firm doing the stabilization work should have been there to address questions. Stewart replied that the BOE was making every effort to be transparent. Howard added that he would be willing to bring the bid winner in to discuss the work that would take place.
Retired teacher Pam Gerstel was concerned that the same issues were repeatedly being debated. Such argumentation, she asserted, was tearing the District and valley apart. In light of such strife, she was emphatic that the District needed to find solutions and move on.
Currently, students in the BES have been offered the opportunity to receive a lead test. Each test, which the District will pay for, costs $14 and so far 74 students have been tested. Most of the school, with exception to the fourth and fifth grades and two other classes, have been offered the tests. The rest can be tested on January 7.
Business Manager Sandra Owens Resigns
In addition to looking for a permanent Superintendent and filling the BOE seat formerly held by John Greene, the District must now find someone to fill the District’s Business Manager position. As of December 27, Sandra Owens will no longer assume these responsibilities, as she has taken a position at Hoosic Valley.
There was concession that the District may be without a business manager for some time. One solution is to advertise for a permanent position. This option may be unfavorable for the District is already immersed in a number of time consuming and trying issues, such as finding a permanent Superintendent. The District may not have enough time to adequately conduct a permanent Business Manager search. Moreover, it was discussed that the looming budget process requires someone to assume the Business Manager’s responsibilities right away. Nash asked whether the District could get by without a business manager, as some schools do not fill such a position. Board Members Stewart and Elizabeth Miller, however, thought that it was imperative for the position to be filled.
The BOE also discussed several ways to fill the vacated BOE seat. One route is to hold a public election. In this scenario, the District would have to fund another election, and the winning candidate would hold the position through the previous candidate’s term (June 2012).
Another option is for the BOE to appoint someone to assume the duties until May. Yet it was not clear what would happen if neither the Board nor community chose a new member. Stewart added that, in principle, if no candidate is chosen within 90 days of the resignation, the BOCES District Superintendent can appoint someone. Neither Dr. Howard nor the District lawyer was aware of this scenario ever occurring.
It was widely agreed that a BOE of only six members is not ideal. The Board faces a number of difficult decisions, and a split Board might prevent progress on such issues.
NYSSBA Membership Voted Down
The Board voted 4-1 not to renew its NYSSBA (NYS School Boards Association) membership, which would cost roughly $6K. Board Member Frank Zwack was not present, and Miller cast the lone dissenting vote. Alan Webster Jr. claimed that given the District’s economic situation, it needed to scale back on its expenditures. Stewart added that given the District’s problems, they may not have sufficient time to take full advantage of NYSSBA. Nash mentioned that much of the information NYSSBA provides is available online. Miller, however, thought NYSSBA provided a number of vital resources, in addition to the online information, access to which required full membership.
Drywell Work
The Board also decided to fix a concrete drywell at the District’s bus garage. Currently, the water used to wash the buses often sits and needs to be forced out of the garage. The water, which may contain contaminates from the buses, accumulates outside the garage. This situation may create safety concerns, especially during the cold winter months. A drywell would rectify this problem. It was brought up that this problem was not addressed earlier because the NYS Environmental Conservation agency deemed such a project cost prohibitive.
Senior Class Mock Interviews
Two students from Nancy Kabir’s twelfth grade English course talked about their resume/interview project. Kabir’s students were required to complete applications, compose cover letters and resumes and partake in mock-interviews. Seniors Tucker Connelly and Matthew Solwitch said the project was beneficial in various respects, especially since it prepared them for post-secondary job interviews. Interim Superintendent Howard, who also interviewed some students, was especially impressed with the quality and presentation of the resumes. He added that he would have hired some of them.
LAC Update
Atsushi Akera, co-chair of the Leadership Advisory Committee, discussed the progress of the LAC and recapitulated the Committee’s goals. These goals, in short, include working with the administration in evaluating various solutions to the District’s needs, providing impartial data analysis to the District and administration and investigating the various impacts the District’s decisions have on student instruction. Its ultimate goal is to “provide an ‘independent and honest’ assessment of these issues in a way that would enable the Board to develop a long-range plan…that can win the support of a majority [of the District’s residents].”
Additional Business
Miller said that at a NYSSBA meeting, it was discussed that the State Ed. Dept. is implementing changes to teacher evaluations. These changes, which will be gradually implemented in the next several years, require those administering the evaluations (e.g. school administrators) to receive additional training. Nash was concerned that future adjustments to taxes such as the creation of a tax cap could potentially create further economic obstacles. The BOE is hoping to hold a meeting regarding the Superintendent search shortly after Christmas break.