ECS looks to coming year

District will redo process for new budget

By DAVID HULSE

ELDRED, NY — Eldred Central School will be trying something new to get residents involved in the budget preparation this winter, Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz said.

“It’s going to be different this year. Our goal will be to include as much community involvement as possible. There will be more workshops and workshops with group work activities.”

The idea is to allow community members to make recommendations and those ideas will become part of the next meeting’s agenda. “The board pays attention and makes it part of their discussion and additional input beyond the workshop,” Katz said.

A leftover issue from 2004 is the masonry repairs to the MacKenzie Elementary School. No bids were received within the school’s funding level last year. A new bidding date is coming up this week. “We’re waiting for outcome and bids that fit into our financial parameters, but we’re up against rising costs for fuel and steel,” Katz said.

Eldred will continue the work of its academic program task forces for English, math, social studies and science. “We’re pleased with the results in the past Regents and want to continue it,” Katz said.

The task forces have, for the first time, organized faculty district-wide. “They’re enjoying working as a K-12 staff. We’ve got teachers having their eyes opened about what’s happening in the other building. This hasn’t existed in past,” he said.

A concern has been the scores on eighth grade math and English Language Arts exams, and Katz said the district has taken steps to correct problems, including the creation of a middle school wing and the addition of highly capable math teacher.

ECS will also be moving forward this year to revisit refurbishing the secondary school, the next phase of the building project. “It’s badly in need of repair, both internal and external. It’s a 1941 building that’s not had major construction since the additions.”

Normal wear and tear have brought it to a point where the district needs to do significant repairs. “It’s not in danger of collapse or anything like that, but if it’s not revitalized it could lead to safety priority,” Katz said.

“Both the Thomas Group, the building project manager, and Foit-Albert architects do regular inspections for the district. We do it frequently, because of the age… It’s our choice, but also a matter of health and safety,” he said.

The Yulan Fire Department, BOCES and the state police also do other related inspections.

Eldred is still looking to replace its bus garage facility, this time in Lumberland. “We’re still at the discussion level with [Supervisor John] LiGreci.”

Katz characterized the town’s position as “exceptionally positive.” Eldred is waiting for a report from its building project manager about what kinds of changes might be required to meet district needs. “It would be a double benefit, more space for our 22 vehicles and tax money returning to the town,” Katz said.

He said the district is looking at a lease cost similar to the $27,000 rental currently being paid.

“Improving instruction is our major goal. Other things play a part, quality, safe facilities, teachers with time for weekly instructional task force work, but if instruction is not the focus, the mission is not where it needs to be,” he said.