If there is a theme to Board of Education meetings tonight at all the districts in our county, it is approving the BOCES budget for next school year, and to adopt their own district spending plans. The BOCES budget is at $9.3-million dollars split among member districts.
At the Homer meeting, something fun for board approval. Robinson Jewelers is donating a crown for the Junior Class Prom Queen. Superintendent Tom Turck offered a letter of explanation about an emergency application of pesticides on sports fields and other green spaces. The goal is to make the surfaces safer by encouraging growth of appropriate turf grasses, reduced weeds that attract stinging insects. The treatment is NOT planned at the Elementary School.
The Cortland school budget is $51.5 million dollars, with an increase of two-thirds of a percent in the tax levy. Proposition two will be for $452-thousand in new buses. Sale of the former Virgil School is Proposition three. Steve Terwilliger’s Kajen, LLC is offering $380-thousand and the Virgil Supervisor has indicated the town will assist with zoning if the sale goes through. Public library funding is Propositio four, and adding a student to the school board awaits a decision as Proposition five.
Cortland’s School Board will be asked to create the new position of Supervisor of School Transportation and Operations, a new Head Bus Driver, and a new administration intern for Barry Primary School. Next year’s school calendar will be approved.
Some Capital Project updates at Cortland….
Randall school library renovations that started over spring break, should be finished by early May, and new furniture should arrive this week. It means a collaborative learning and STEAM Work area and storage. Also, a $35,000 rebuild of the main entrance steps at Randall could be finished by early May.
Jr Sr High school asbestos tile abatement, new vinyl tile in classrooms could begin over summer break, pending state education approval.
Next month, Cortland schools may consider an early purchase of buses for next year. It could save money, as the manufacturer is warning the cost of each school bus will go up by about $25,000. Buy now or pay later.
In Marathon, the Board will update its plans for its reserve accounts for capital improvements, bus purchases, debt service and various benefits. The $20.2 million budget will increase the tax levy by 1.8%.
The Board of Ed in McGraw will clarify its policy on service animals, in contrast to emotional support, therapy, comfort or companion animals. The definition will read “A service animal is defined as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals.”
The Cincinnatus Board will be asked to approve an $18-million budget. Also on the agenda, acceptance of a $400 grant from the NRA Foundation for the school Trap Club and class trip requests.
Voting on all the area school budgets is May 17, 2022.
