The Dunkirk Board of Education accepted several resignations Tuesday as it was able to restore a few positions.
The board first accepted the resignation of High School Principal Paul Lyons.
A member of the High School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) asked the board to retain Lyons as he worked well with the PTO.
"We are asking that his tenure be reconsidered ... Mr. Lyons has been an active part of our PTO. He was organized and well informed with information for high school parents ... It was obvious Mr. Lyons was willing to help the PTO and the parents that he worked with in any way possible. We hope that the successful collaboration with Mr. Lyons and the PTO and parents can continue," she said on behalf of the PTO.
Superintendent Gary Cerne said he could not comment on personnel matters with the public. After the meeting he repeated the sentiment saying the position will be posted today and the district hopes to have a large pool of qualified applicants to choose from.
The district also accepted the resignations of Head Football Coach Michael Sarratori and Assistant Football Coach Ryan Hall effective immediately. Assistant football coaches William Thiel's and Joseph McMurdy's resignations were also accepted with regret.
Cerne said again that he could not comment but that the position of head coach will be posted today.
The board also accepted the resignation of Art Teacher Dorothy Mielke. Cerne explained this retirement along with the abolition of another 1 FTE art position was part of the budget plan to reduce the art program in the middle school.
After this reduction the board approved the creation of a .6 FTE art teacher for the middle school.
The board also revised two previous reductions of staff by allowing the two BREAK teachers to remain in the new positions of Academic Intervention Instructors in School 3 and School 7.
Cerne explained these teachers help struggling students prepare for state exams.
In other business:
The board approved transfers to reserve funds including $1 million out of and back into the tax certiorari reserve; $680,000 from the unassigned fund balance into the retirement contribution reserve and $250,000 from the general fund into the unemployment insurance payment reserve. Cerne explained replenishing these reserve funds was made possible by a small surplus from last year's budget.
The board approved elementary and secondary meal prices at 50 and 60 cents respectively for breakfast and 75 cents and $1 for lunch respectively, a 10 cent lunch increase for both schools.
Board President Roosevelt Haynes said he is upset that some members of the public do not come to meetings because they feel intimidated. He suggested holding a regular meeting in each of the ward meeting places.
The board accepted the resignation for retirement of Music Teacher Cynthia Flaherty and technology Teacher Jackson Green.
The board appointed summer school teachers and summer janitorial help as well as winter sports coaches with the exception of boys bowling and football.
The board will next meet July 5 for its organizational meeting.
