SOUTH DAYTON - With May under way, the Pine Valley Board of Education readied for the upcoming budget vote and the end of the current school year.
A public hearing on the budget was conducted for the singular member of the public who attended. For those who missed the budget hearing, a summary in the school's newsletter of the budget has been sent out to residents of the district.
"The biggest inconvenience in this budget is going to be supplies," Superin-tendent Peter Morgante said, explaining that the number of printers will be reduced to save money.
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OBSERVER Photo by Nicole Gugino
The Pine Valley Board of Education held a public hearing on the budget at its meeting Tuesday. Pictured is student representative Tyler Silagyi giving a report on the health and wellness committee.
The district has maintained the same tax rate for the past five years, but due to state aid reductions, the budget was cut by 5.1 percent.
The budget vote will be held May 17 from noon to 9 p.m. in the high school near the new gym. On the ballot will be proposition one for the budget, proposition two to spend $10,000 on the lunch program, proposition three to spend $228,505 on the purchase of two buses and a van and proposition four for the allowance of a non-voting student representative.
Also up for vote are four school board positions. The four incumbents, Matthew Waag, Michael Pease, Kim Ecker and Jeffrey Chase, are seeking re-election, and newcomer Robert Astry is also running.
After giving a presentation, the board heard one from student representative Tyler Silagyi on the school health and wellness committee. The committee recently attended a conference put on by the School Health Advisory Council.
The students learned about safe sex, alcohol and safe computer practices. The board participated in an activity about 'sexting.'
Silagyi recommended the speaker from the Center for applied Psychology, Michelle Scarpulla, saying she was young and energetic and made the topics fun.
Superintendent Peter Morgante suggested the student council may support bringing Scarpulla to the school in the future. He also suggested a field trip for students to the Safety Village for safe computer practices.
Following the activity the board approved the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school calendars. Changes in the calendar include an extra inservice day at the beginning of the year to help train teachers and elimination of January regents break due to the cost.
The board, on Morgante's recommendation, also passed a motion to give staff May 27 off as staff appreciation day, as two snow days were not used.
In other business:
After fundraising for the senior trip fell short, the trip was canceled However, Morgante is now allowing seniors with money saved in their accounts to purchase one yearbook, two prom tickets and one set of senior pictures. Those who have already paid may receive refunds. Morgante said a special activity for the seniors was also planned for the end of the school year.
The board chose not to meet on May 10 to break the BOCES election tie. The board will next meet on May 19 at 8 p.m.
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