Dundee board will get new members

DUNDEE--The Dundee Central School Board will have at least two new members after the May 16 vote. Two board positions on the seven-person board will be changing.
At their meeting Thursday, April 13 the board accepted the resignation of Vice President Kristen Van Valkenburg, effective June 2017. Van Valkenburg's term was to expire in 2019.
James Hill's term ends in 2017. He announced at the meeting that he will not be running for re-election.
Robert Neu and Kevin Crofoot have filed to run for the two empty seats on the board created by Van Valkenburg's resignation and Hill's expired term.
Andrew Simmons and Jared Webster's terms both end in 2017. Both Simmons and Webster have filed for re-election.
At the board meeting Business Manager Melissa Lawson reported the budget is "running in the positive." She said, "Our expenses are expected to fall below what we have budgeted. The milder winter really helped us. We hope we will not have to use the reserve funds we had budgeted."
Superintendent Kelly Houck spoke of the good progress of the personalized and blended learning programs. "It's really remarkable when you think about where we started," Houck said. "We have become a model for other schools in the area. It is a real testimony to everyone's willingness to change, improve and embrace a new idea that was not tangible at all." Personalized learning emphasizes individualized instruction with students setting goals and teachers functioning as facilitators.
Houck also announced they are exploring ways to bring more broadband service to the district by cooperating with local towns, villages, and other stakeholders to access state grant money. Houck said, "I see it as an opportunity for economic development. Everyone will benefit."
The board authorized selling a 2006, 65-passenger school bus as surplus. The vehicle has 100,295 miles and an inoperable transmission.
Regarding the news that the New York state budget has passed a bill that gives more middle class students access to college, Kelly Houck said, "It isn't official yet, but when it is, we will have more details." She added that as of yet, the guidance department has not received details about how the program will work.
The board recognized Dundee's Mega Scots for the month of March: grade eight, Lacy Cole, nominated by the science department; grade 10, Megan Sutherland, nominated by the math department; grade 11, Benedict Thomas, nominated by the history department; and grade 12, Bobby Strait, nominated by the ELA department.
The board recognized outstanding character education traits for the month of March: Kindergarten, Bradely Busch, Baylee Smith and Ashton Shriver; grade one, James McFall, Michael Mullin and Jaylynn Hall; grade two, Kaelee Bunn Smith, Penelope Dorn and Joe Benso; grade three, Isaiah Sutton and Gabe Townley; grade four, Ellie Fleet and Kaiden Smith; grade five, Walter Sparbani and Anias Burtes; grade six, Gavin Briscoe, Jade Roussell and Carson Miller.
The budget hearing will be held Tuesday, May 2 at 6 p.m. This meeting will also serve as "Meet the Candidates Night" for the upcoming election. The budget vote will be Tuesday, May 16 from noon to 8 in the public meeting room.