Schools

Sachem Board of Education News & Notes

Miss the monthly meeting Wednesday? Catch up on the info here.

During Wednesday night's Sachem Central School District Board of Education meeting, budget advisory committee chairman Alan Sacher recommended the district suspends secondary summer school programs this year.

Citing potential budget issues when Gov. Cuomo releases his state aide figures next month, it's a possible area on the chopping block.

In 2010, there were 584 students who attended secondary summer school (grades 6-12) at a total cost of $167,289, or roughly $286.45 a student, Sacher said. He also mentioned the district paid $194,100 for a summer reading program for pre-k and kindergarten through second grades, which had 600 students enrolled last summer.

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"To pay that kind of money at this time with the budgeting crisis the way it is, we find this as excessive," he told the school board and administrators, speaking on behalf of the committee in the administrative annex at Samoset Middle School. "We highly recommend suspending the secondary summer education program."

Sacher said it would make sense to figure out if this is a line that will be eliminated from next year's budget sooner rather than later, so parents can be notified of such plans. Jim Nolan, Sachem's Superintendent, said students have attended summer school at Connetquot and Patchogue-Medford in the past, since they run their programs through BOCES. 

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"It's on the table for a discussion," said board trustee Sal Tripi.

"There will be a lot of things on the table if what the Governor says comes to fruition," added board president Rob Scavo.

Bruce Singer, Sachem's assistant superintendent for business, said Cuomo should be dispersing state aide totals in mid-February, giving Sachem a clearer picture of how to craft an operating budget. In the mean time, board members are seeking a list of scenarios with various levels of cuts, so they can plan accordingly. 

There will be a couple of extra board meetings added to the district calendar strictly for budget review purposes, but the dates have not yet been selected.

Notable action items

  • The district created the position of "Drug Abuse Educator," and hired Marissa Boscia and Katherine Prusinski for the roles at $45,000 each. 
  • The district will pay the Management Advisory Group Business Operations, Inc. $850 for a one day Medicaid program evaluation.
  • Board members voted unanimously, 6-0, not to approve the late transportation request for private and parochial schools for one student at an approximate cost of $14,875 for the remainder of the school year.

Legislative committee planning: The Sachem Legislative Advisory Committee will be hosting an event Thursday, Feb. 3 for all local politicians to answer pre-screened questions by district residents. So far, Sen. Flanagan, Sen. Zeldin, Assemblyman Dean Murray, Leg. Kennedy and Leg. Lindsay have confirmed either they or a representative will attend.

Next up: The board will hold a work session Wednesday, Feb. 2 and a regular board meeting, Wednesday. Feb. 16. Both are at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at Samoset.


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