The Fredonia Central School Board of Education discussed the Regional High School legislation submitted to the state Assembly, but will not consider a resolution upon which the board may vote its position until their next meeting.
School Superintendent Paul DiFonzo told the board at a recent meeting there are aspects of the legislation he likes, but other aspects he opposes. "I'm in favor of a regional high school concept, just not this resolution," DiFonzo said of state legislation. No resolution was present on the board's agenda at the meeting, but the issue was listed for discussion.
The regional high school proposal was initiated by the Chautauqua Lake Central School, along with Ripley, Brocton and Westfield central schools. The legislation was passed by the State Senate but not acted upon in the last session of the State Assembly. However, the legislation could return to the Assembly floor in the current session.
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OBSERVER Photo by Shirley Pulawski
FCS Superintendent Paul DiFonzo addressed regional high school legislation with the board of education at a recent meeting.
DiFonzo said he likes the use of a popular vote for districts involved in a regional high school, but feels the legislation does not effectively address costs. "It doesn't make any sense to have four superintendents in a district that has 250 students. ... You still have four superintendents, four boards of education, four secretaries. It isn't cost effective. It doesn't make sense," he said. "Some of our areas of concern were addressed," he said, including the projected cost savings and use of facilities as part of planning, but added, "I'm always concerned about transparency."
The lack of an option for BOCES-led classes was another point of concern, as well as the level of input each participating school would have. Board member Karen Mosier expressed concern over each school's input.
"Am I correct that only the host school district would have say of how it is run, that no other district would have any say?" she asked.
DiFonzo said he believed she was correct.
Board member Michael Bobseine asked for a resolution regarding the regional high school proposal to be placed on the next meeting's agenda so the board could declare its position on the issue.
The next regular meeting of the board of education is on Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school room 636.
