The BOE meeting covered a wide range of items. There were 3 presentations: one on the insurance coverage of the district, one on the technology and IT program and one on Alcohol Awareness in the schools.
The things that struck me as hitting a cord in these 3 topics were:
1. Insurance - the Broker who gave the presentation was recomending Plainedge raise their excess coverage from 10 million to 20 million as we have a self owned bus fleet and could have exposure. We currently have the lowest excess coverage. We used to carry 15 million and dropped it to 10 million in 2001 due to budget constraints.
Insurance coverage for volunteers was briefly discussed. There is a volunteer coverage that would insure parents, etc who help our at school sponsored events in case they are hurt. This would NOT cover outside groups that use the facilities. This would only cost $500.
2. The technology presentation focused on the different ways the school is using technology in the classroom and to anaylze test results to better focus the instructionsince the state takes so long to give them the information. They are piloting several different thechnologies in the classroom, e.g., smartboard, texas instrument calculators, etc.
3. The Packard Picken deal was reviewed - they are still working out the details, are not ready to have community meetings as they don't have all the logistics ironed out yet. But what Dr. Richman did say was that TOB would knock down Packard and build a smaller office building with some rooms for community use. A design of the fields has been drafted and would be astroturf with drainage so games could be played even after a downpour. There would be a playground as well.
The wrestling room was discussed and they are still trying to figure out what to do and where to move the program. They are looking at locating it in Piken, but don't know yet if that would be possible due to the need for showers and space constraints at Piken for this - the bathrooms are elementary size.
4. Communication with the community was discussed - the PR firm that was hired has been issueing press releases on school activites and working toward the redesign and more effective communicaiton through the website. This is still in the early stages.
5. Changes in kindergarten procedures has been worked out so that the kindergarteners won't accompany each other to the nurse, front office, etc. to ensure their saftey and make sure they don't exit the buildings without an adult. A presentation of the new procedures will be presented on Thursday.
6. Property Tax Exemptions was discussed - it was put on the agenda this month by the President of the BOE so the Board would have a month to research and speak to the community on this. Dr. Richman acknowledged that the BOE did not handle the firefighter/ambulance exemption well last year. Two Board members indicated their support for the firefighter tax exemption. It was revealed that 5 districts in the TOB approved this last year and that there are only 40 households in Plainedge that would be affected and it would cost $3.80 per household. The senior exemption which is based on need costs each Plainedge household much more - I think they said it was several hundred dollars. All seemed to agree the senior exemption was a no brainer as well as the disability exemption.
7. The long range planning for the sports program was reviewed - a handout outlining the plan was given out. The fact that the planning was balanced and incorporates Title 9 requirements. The bottom line here is:
Elimination of Boys and Girls Winter Track, Boys and Girls Varsity Golf, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Varsity Bowling, Boys Varsity Tennis and Boys Varsity Volley Ball for boys - the last season would be 2006/07.
A Girls Head Track Coach would be added.
Restore MS Football, Boys and Girls MS Soccer, MS Wrestling. Restore and change to developmental team Boys and Girls MS Basketball and Boys Baseball and Girls MS Softball in 2007/08. Add a Tennis developmental team for MS Girls in 2007/08.
Then I had to leave as it was 10:45 pm......
