Dundee school board 08/06/09
Meeting: Dundee Central School District board of education met for approximately one and one half hours Aug. 6 followed by an executive session to discuss personnel matters lasting approximately one and one half hours.
Attendance: All board members were present. No members of the public were in the audience.
Action: Business manager Melissa Lawson spoke to the board about a grant that is available from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Grants up to $30,000 are available and if the district applies and is successful, funds could be used for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning planning for the capital project.
• Lawson reported that starting with 2010 buses there will be new stringent emission requirements that will add $7,000 to the cost of every vehicle DCS will buy. The new regulations include urea tanks that will inject the material into the tank of diesel buses, lowering emissions. She said there is an opportunity presented by the district’s regular bus vendor to set aside 2009 buses to delay purchase of the more expensive vehicles. The agreement would be non-binding. Zimar said, “It gives Dundee the opportunity to research propane and other products on the market.
• Approved several handbooks as an extension of board policy for the 2009-10 school year including student/parent and faculty handbooks.
• Board President Joseph Capurso appointed members of several committees including a new negotiations committee. Members of that committee are John Frederick, Carl Christensen, and Paul Brown.
• Accepted donations for the Class of 1959 scholarship award which will be distributed annually to a deserving senior graduate.
Discussion without action: During the superintendent’s report, Zimar said the community will be surveyed regarding what is going well or what needs improvement in the district. They will also be invited to get involved with the district. She said volunteers will be needed for the planning component. The web-based questionnaire will be developed at a cost of $3,000, with 75 percent of which will be BOCES aidable. Zimar said the district will ask for e-mail addresses on the gold card which is distributed to students. The program will also be announced to the community.
• The physical education portion of the Strategic Plan will be on the district Web site.
• Zimar announced a program in connection with Keuka College that would bring Keuka students to DCS to tutor students.
• The board received an idea from a resident on the building project that had to do with parking for the project committee to consider. Board Vice-president Jim Koehler said, “We’re right on the ragged edge of change now.”
• The building project was discussed during the meeting with business Manager Melissa Lawson presenting information on the first phase of the project; the building facade, followed by a tour of the west facade and discussion of options that could be included in the project. A number of issues must be addressed with one being whether or not to replace decorative features on the facade as part of the project. Under study are the relief decoration of pineapples that crosses the upper portion of the west facade as well as the decorative owls and heads that are now at the entrances. Damage under fiberglass that was part of a 1992 project is significant as are areas surrounding windows. Capurso said the building committee will meet with Floyd Herrick of Herrick and Saylor Architects. He said the committee needs a visualization of the different steps between current proposal. Capurso would like a sliding scale of costs for the board to look at with the prices for each facet, adding, “If we can save money and have a school facade that is aesthetically pleasing, let’s do it.”
• Superintendent of Schools Nancy Zimar presented information on opening day, noting orientation of the seven new teachers is complete. Superintendent conference days on Sept. 2 and 3 will have security as a theme. She said they will be looking at how the district can make a secure building without making it an institution.
Appointments/resignations: Appointed Erin S. Brady to teach in the physical education tenure area, starting Sept. 1.
• Accepted the resignation of Matthew Lillibridge, intended physical education teacher, effective immediately.
Upcoming meetings: The next regular board meeting will be Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. in the public meeting room. |
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