ALLEGANY, N.Y. — The ongoing capital building project, as well as in-house issues such as the superintendent search, rebuilding the district website and student grading were discussed during Tuesday’s meeting for the Allegany-Limestone Central School District board of education.
In his report on the $16.1 million capital building project, Interim Superintendent Mark Ward said he and Mike Watkins, district business manager, have been making plans to write a Smart Grant to fund one aspect of the project.
If successful, the grant would pay for a management program for new electrical systems and new fire alarm systems for the elementary and secondary campuses. The grant would free up funds that could be used for other aspects of the capital building project that will provide safety upgrades and renovations at the middle/high school and elementary campus when completed in a few years. The project is not expected to impact the school district budget as 74 percent of the funds will be reimbursed by state building aid.
“For your second board meeting of the month (on Dec. 19) we would like to have a plan to present to you for your approval,” Ward said.
In commenting on the superintendent search to replace former Superintendent Dr. Karen Geelan who left the district at the end of October, Dr. Joe Zimmer, board president, said applications were due by Nov. 30.
“They are all in and are now being vetted by our consultant,” Zimmer said of the applications. Zimmer said he will contact the consultant to determine if the files will be provided to the board before Jan. 2, 2018, for their reviews and discussions of the top candidates. Zimmer has stated the district hopes to have a new superintendent seated by March or April.
On another issue, Ward said he would like to see the district website redesigned to make it more attractive, informative and compelling for district residents. He said Kevin Straub, technology coordinator, will attend a training session for the project and will serve as webmaster for the district.
Ward also requested the board and administrators consider designating one of the district newsletters in the spring for graduating seniors. He said the students could help design and write articles for the newsletter, which could serve as a keepsake for their graduation.
On another topic, Ward said he has concerns with low test scores received by a large number of the seventh- and eighth-grade students this past grading period.
“I haven’t talked to the teachers yet about what their take is” on the issue, Ward stated. “But it’s something to at least have a dialogue on.”
Ward said he also plans to review grading systems, which are left to the discretion of the teachers, to determine if this could factor into the issue of lower test scores. He and other administrators will likely look into the issue after the holidays.
In addition, Ward said he plans to meet with special education teachers and aides Dec. 14 to have open discussions on their concerns and input regarding the change in the directors of that department over the past several years.
“It’s been a roller coaster for (the special education department) … and we’ll look at how we can do a better job for our children here,” Ward said. “This is something to talk about. I think that just talking sometimes goes a long way.”
On a final note, Morgan Davis, student council representative, asked administrators why junior and senior students are required to purchase $10 parking permits to park in the lower school parking lot near the gymnasium. She was asked by her fellow students to broach the topic with the board.
Zimmer advised Davis and the student council to draft a motion to have the topic placed on an upcoming board agenda.
