BOE Meeting: Budget Talk and East Roof Spark Hot Topics Wednesday Night

The Sachem Central School District Board of Education cleared confusion of a $3.5 million increase for the 2009-2010 budget and how it affects the 2010-11 proposed budget Wednesday evening at Samoset Middle School. 

Last September, the district's Board of Education approved a resolution to increase the budget $3.5 million for a repair to the roof of Sachem High School East, meaning the 2009-2010 budget increased from $274 million to $277 million. Because of that action, the district is entitled to 76.6 percent in New York State aid, which is included in Governor David Paterson's 2010-11 State aid proposal, according to Bruce Singer, Sachem's Assistant Superintendent for Business.

The board said it will use the reimbursed funds - roughly $3 million - for future expenses in the 2010-11 budget.

The roof at Sachem East will be replaced in locations such as the gymnasium, theater, and cafeteria.  With the new roof being waterproof, the new students entering the school will not see any further water damage, board members said. 

In other news, the approval of an increase of $84,119 to the contract with Mainline Electric Contracting Corporation for Sachem High School North was questioned by Rob Scavo, Vice President of the board. 

"[It is for a] higher degree of safety for the students," Singer said. "After the fire walkthrough with the contractor, they believed that we needed [additional and replacement of smoke dictators]."

Approved action items

• -Software purchase from Transfinder Corporation: The software will provide accurate distances and mileage calculations of bus routes digitally. Board approved $4,000 to purchase this.
• -The contract with Roland's Electric will be decreased by $6,089. This is because there was a deduction for "unused allowance for unforeseen conditions" of $15,000 with an addition of wall phones and clocks, which will cost $8,911. 

District sports recognitions

• -The Sachem East boys bowling team won a county title and was ranked as high as fourth in the state this past winter.
• -The Sachem East girls basketball team was honored for winning the New York State Class AA title. Coach Matt Brisson, who was named Suffolk County Large School Coach of the Year, expressed his gratitude toward coaching a beloved team.  
• -Sachem North wrestler Ryan Gerondel was recognized for winning the Section XI Championship.
• -Christopher DiIorio, a Sachem East wrestler, was recognized for his county title at 189 pounds.
• Sachem East's Alex Saavedra was recognized for winning the sounty championship in the 3,200-meter run for winter track.
• -The Sachem North boys swimming team was recognized as well as Evan Byrnes who won the 50-freestyle.
• -Sachem North's Kayla Cataldo was recognized as a pole vaulting county champion for winter track..
• -East's Lisa Luchsinger was honored for being a county champion for long jump this past winter.