HFCS Budget Still In The Works

by Alex Brooks
A tentative State budget deal was reached only a day or two before the Hoosick Falls School Board’s March 21 meeting, so the budget has not changed much since the March 7 Budget Workshop. Superintendent Ken Facin said that although there seems to be more State aid coming, the District has “no clarity on State aid yet,” so the Board is aiming to get close to a final budget in time for the April 11 Budget Workshop.
[private]A Plea For Special Ed Teachers
At this meeting, the Board heard budget presentations on buildings and grounds, transportation and debt service. They also heard heartfelt comments from some teachers who are upset about the decision to lay off two special education teachers. Special Education teacher Michelene Wilson urged the Board to take another look at that decision. She described the ways in which these layoffs would put a strain on the remaining special education staff. She urged the Board to look at the “luxuries” that we have in this District and find some way to save the jobs of these two teachers.
English teacher Judy Petrino spoke on the same theme. She said, “The special education staff is stretched as thinly as we can be stretched and still get the job done.” She stressed the personal relationships between these teachers and their students. “The students need these people,” she said.
What is Community Service?
Greg Laurin said that now that the District is putting an emphasis on community service and requiring student participation in community service projects, it needs to define exactly what is and is not community service. Laurin plans to write a policy defining it, and he asked the Board for its input. He also presented some ideas of his own. He felt it should be defined as doing something, like cleaning up a park, painting a room or visiting seniors rather than attending a meeting or watching a presentation. He also thought it should be something done outside of school and outside of school hours. He also wondered if it is a good idea for students to get involved in national fundraising or any fundraising beyond that for school activities. Everyone seemed to agree that there are a few too many fundraisers and parents and businesses are “tapped out.”
Just about all of the Board members joined in this discussion, and, while they are not in perfect agreement, they seemed largely in accord on the matter.  When Laurin has written a proposed policy, they will resume the discussion based on their reactions to it.
The Board approved the sixth grade trip to NYC after a presentation from teachers Traci Friel and Vicky Malossi-Perry. Two buses will carry the class for a day trip to visit some museums, eat a meal and see The Lion King on Broadway. The cost per student will be $80, and some fundraising will be needed to defray the remaining cost of the trip.
There was a presentation of congratulatory banners to wrestlers Brad Burns and Luis Weierbach in recognition of their achievements in statewide competition. Weierbach was State Champion in his weight class, and Burns was third in the State in his weight class. Coach Nelson pointed out that both are members of the National Honor Society, so they excel in the classroom as well as on the wrestling mats. There was a short reception afterwards to honor the two wrestlers.
Lacrosse At Hoosac School
The Board approved having the boys and girls lacrosse teams practice on the Hoosac School fields. There is no charge to the District. Superintendent Facin thanked Hoosac School Headmaster Dean Foster for offering the fields and praised Foster for his community spirit. The District has been developing a good collaborative relationship with the Hoosac School, sharing facilities and other things.
Facin said he was pleased with the way the St. Patrick’s Day Parade had gone. The school was more involved than ever, with almost everyone from the school either in the parade or watching it. He pointed out that this is a big turnaround from a few years ago when the school was backing away from the parade because there was too much alcohol consumption. He was pleased that the organizers have come to agreement about making it an alcohol-free, youth-friendly event.
Facin announced that the Utica Insurance Group has awarded the Hoosick Falls District its Safety Award. He said the award recognizes the many things the District has done to make its school a safer place for students and teachers.[/private]