Sullivan West freezes trips and supplies

By TOM KANE

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — In an effort to save money to roll over into next year’s budget, the Sullivan West Board of Education on February 20 considered a freeze of student trips, teachers’ conferences and some supplies.

The district could lose up to $2 million in state aid this coming year. The amount saved by a freeze would be approximately $150,000.

“That’s three teacher positions,” said school superintendent Michael Johndrow.

Carol Slotkin, president of the teacher chapter of the union, questioned the action.

“We were never consulted in the matter, which seems strange to us,” Slotkin said.

Slotkin said that under block scheduling in the high school, and students taking the courses in two shifts, students in the first half of the year went on trips, which enriched the curriculum. Now, those who are scheduled to take trips in the second semester won’t get the enrichment.

“We understand that sacrifices must be made, but we should have been consulted,” she said.

Arthur Norden blocked the addition of the freeze issue on the agenda and the board never formally voted.

Board president Jeff Nober’s informal poll of board members had Dr. Jerry Triolo, Tim Lanese, Bill Erdman, K.C. Garn and Rich Sandler in favor of cutting the expenses, Norden remained opposed, Carol Nearing abstained and Nober didn’t express an opinion. Rick Lander was absent.

“It’s clear the freeze was acceptable as we voted,” Nober said about the informal vote. “We’re asking our attorney if we can do it this way,” Johndrow said. “If he says there has to be a formal motion and a second followed by a vote, the poll was not valid and will have to be redone at the next meeting.”

Trips that are organized by a student or parent club are not affected because they have an independent source of funding, said business manager Keith Menges.

Bus trips in the sports program will not be affected, Johndrow said.

Supplies that are not vital and can be done without will be frozen, Johndrow said.

Measures like this may be necessary because of the harsh cuts proposed by Governor Pataki’s proposed budget, Menges said.

Two weeks ago, Menges and Johndrow said that if the governor’s budget was not changed by the state legislature, property taxes would have to be raised by 14 percent over last year just to meet the requirements of a bare bones, contingency budget.