BOE Meeting: News and Notes

Many district employees showed their disapproval of the recent decision to not offer a retirement incentive plan to positions other than teachers and administrators at Wednesday's Sachem Central School District board of education meeting.

Speaking on behalf of secretaries and alike, Eileen Zabarra spoke briefly for the group. She expressed grave concern about the emotional, "roller coaster," herself and others have gone through with their families.

She said she and others were instructed to fill out proper paperwork regarding the incentive by July 19 and hand in letters of resignation/retirement by July 22. On July 28, the board of education was supposed to approve this process. Then two days prior to Wednesday's meeting, they received an email from their union president stating the board would not approve the deal.

"This process and information led us to believe that this would be presented to the board of education and formally approved at the July 28 meeting," she said to the board. "We wonder why the total number of eligible employees retiring was not calculated and treated as one group. All of your dedicated long term employees deserve to be treated equally and fairly."

Also during the meeting, board member Anthony Falco read a statement as recommended by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli in his audit of the Sachem Central School District.

Since Falco has a connection with Port Jefferson Sporting Goods, a company the district has contracts with, the audit suggested he address the issue officially in the minutes of a board meeting.

"It's important to note that I do not now nor have I ever received any monatery benefit from the employers contract with the district," he said. "I am an hourly employee of the national division of Port Jefferson Sporting Goods. I do not receive permissions. The Comptroller has recommended that I make this entry in the minutes to help maintain openness and public confidence in school districts. I'm glad to comply with this recommendation."

Here are some highlights:

-The board approved John A. Grillo Architect, P.C. for the 2010-11 Capital Improvement Program at Sachem. The architect's compensation for specified services outline in the agreement is six percent of the actual construction cost, according to the district.

-The board approved a service contact agreement between Sachem and LJ Create to provide technical support services for Scantek Laboratories in Sagamore Middle School, Seneca Middle School, Seqouya Middle School, Samoset Middle School, and Sachem High Schools East and North for $12,000.

-The board approved six budget transfers of over $50,000.

-The board approved the use of Seneca's property for the annual Holbrook Carnival, sponsored by the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce, that will take place August 12-15.

Next up: 

-The next board of education meeting will be August 18 at Samoset at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a retiree recognition meeting at 7 p.m. in Conference Room A in the middle school.