Sachem Board of Education Meeting: Students Honored, Construction Discussed

A large portion of Wednesday's Sachem Central School District board of education meeting revolved around the approval of two change orders for Metropolitan Construction Systems.

The first is to add $4,386.04 for adjustments at Lynwood Elementary School, which brings the new contract amount to $2,679,286.04. The improvements include flashing for four new PVC pipes, to close conceal an 8-inch gap in decking and to close an opening in an area of metal deck to properly prepare for new roofing.

The second is to add $12,173.70 for adjustments at Sachem High School North, which brings the new contract amount to $2,691,459.74. These improvements include new curbs for existing duct penetrations, replacing a damaged deck in the auditorium roof, and fixing multiple expansion joints on the existing roof.

Both Mike Guido from Grillo Associates and Brian McClave from McClave Engineering mentioned shoddy workmanship on the part of previous contractors.

"Some of those things might never have been found," said board member Mike Timo. "I can go home and sleep at night," because of that.

"Who can we depend on to watch the contractors?" asked board president Tony Falco. "We have to think about having eyes up there."

No one had a clear answer to his question.

Notable approved action items

-The district approved the following budget transfers: $90,003 for employee benefits for grant employees and to pay indirect cost; $78,062 for employee benefits for grant employees and 2008-2009 flow through funds for which contracts were approved; $66,662 for more employee benefits for grant employees; $77,000 in additional costs of special education students; $185,110 to cover facility costs for custodial overtime, worker's compensation and leave; $367,355 to balance non-salary codes in the budget for year end reporting on NYS form ST3; $996,809 to balance elementary teaching codes; $83,500 to fund account used to purchase fuel; $213,943 to balance special education salary codes and $509,494.15 to allocate funds for Phase 1 EXCEL Bond Capital Projects to balance expenses.

-The board approved agreements between Sachem and multiple districts to provide health and welfare services to students who reside in Sachem. These districts include Patchogue-Medford, Three Village, East Islip and Riverhead.

Accomplishments

-Ten Sachem students were honored by winning the Dove Electronic Components Inc. James Waite Scholarship.

-Wenonah's Special Olympics Club received a standing ovation and special recognition for participating in a Special Olympics Long Island event last month.

-Mike Zhang was recognized for his sustainable energy science project that placed him very high in a national competition.

-The Sachem Robotics Team that has garnered much attention in the last couple months presented a trophy to Superintendent Jim Nolan. The team was also recognized for its achievements.

Notes & Quotes

-Both the proposed track at Sachem North and bleachers at Samoset Middle School will not be implemented until the summer of 2011. Since they are capital projects there is a lengthy timetable involved in the process. The board is kicking around the idea of calling it an emergency to get the bleachers fixed and push the paperwork through at the state level. Bruce Singer, Sachem's Assistant Superintendent for Business, said some students have gotten hurt on the bleachers, which do not have hand railings and appear in bad shape.

-Board member Mike Licata proposed the idea of a district committee to bridge the gap between the East and North sides. "The last election showed a big divide," he said. "That doesn't seem to be going away."

-Custodian James Herzberg is retiring after 22 years and 11 months of service in the district. Cook Patricia Somma is retiring after 25 years and two months of service.

Next up

-The next board of education meeting will be held Wednesday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Samoset.