School start debate continues at Blue Ridge

BY STACI WILSON

The Blue Ridge School Board again weighed the pros and cons of the post-Labor Day start that’s been in place for the past two years with some members advocating for a return to school in August.

The 2014-15 district calendar will be put up for a vote at the Monday, April 7 business meeting. Following a work session Monday night, the board had still not reached a consensus. The calendar version with the September start will be placed on the agenda for adoption; if that fails, an alternative calendar with an August start date will be put before the board, Superintendent Robert McTiernan said.

Several members said that following the previous board discussion, they put the question out to their constituents. Chris Whitney, who represents New Milford Borough, said feedback she received at first was evenly split but then more people came forward in favor of the September start – a position Whitney advocated in February and again Monday night.

Board member Shane Rumage said starting early would allow for an extra week of instruction before prior to standardized testing.

Starting in late August, the last day of school for students would be before Memorial Day, with 10 days built into the schedule for snow day; the September start date has 11 snow days built into the schedule.

Board member Michael Detwiler said he leaned toward the later start date stating, “It’s more about using the time we have effectively,” and then added, “It’s a nitpicky argument when you come down to it.”

Student rep Julia Stanley asked why the start date had been changed from August.

McTiernan said the change came “because it was a contract year” and talked about the possible impact of a work stoppage on the school schedule. “We’re in the same place this year,” he said.

Others items coming before the board for a vote on Monday include payment for extra work hours that go along with a grant the school is seeking.

The Blue Ridge staff member spent three to four days “working the phone” to find the required grant partners and a substitute was brought in for those days.

“It was more expense than expected,” Whitney said.

The elementary school is also planning a family night to answer questions about the Common Core math program. The anticipated compensation for the teachers’ time is estimated at $800 – a cost questioned by some board members.

Board president Laurie Brown-Bonner said she thought it was important to respond to parents’ request and to address their concerns.

Facilities and grounds chair Harold Empett reported that the district is ready to go out to bid for the new steps to the high school track. The bid specifications will include a timeline for completion.

Preparation of the district’s 2014-15 budget is underway, with the preliminary budget expected to be available for review on April 28 and adopted on May 5. The final budget is expected to put up to vote on June 9.

The board will also consider a tax abatement proposal for the Southgate senior apartment complex in Hallstead where payment of about 20 percent of the assessed value would be paid in lieu of taxes.

McTiernan said it was a similar proposal to one the board approved for the New Milford senior apartment building, but would amount to about a $20,000 loss in property taxes for the district.

The board will also be considering refinancing the district’s 2009 series bonds at a considerably lower interest rate which will realize just over $50,000 in net savings for the district