ELDRED, NY — July 4th had been nine days earlier, but there were fireworks at the July Eldred School Board meeting. Urging the board in the direction of change, member Brian Siegel noted that voters are able to voice their opinion on the actions of the school board only once a year, and that in the last three elections incumbents either were not returned to the board or were returned with less than half of the votes cast, supporting his comments with visual aids. His assertions gave rise to lengthy and acrimonious exchanges among the members. The majority of the board rejected his call to embrace change rather than the status quo as they voted Carol Bliefernich president. Amador Laput was returned to the position of vice president.

The contentious debate continued as Siegel questioned why, out of a cohort of 50 students comprising the graduating class of 2017, only 36 completed the requirements for graduation within a four-year time period. Principal Scott Krebs responded that there were 14 different reasons. He distributed a handout to the board members outlining the intervening actions that had occurred for each student, and the document received immediate affirmation from some of the members.

Siegel charged that the board collectively is immediately satisfied with every answer from the administration. Further, he wondered how, with the resources that are available, a 73% passing rate was acceptable to the board. He said that if the passing rate dips below 67%, outside intervention would be triggered. Bliefernich stated that “everything we can do, we do.” Siegel responded that these students have been allowed to dig themselves into a very deep hole and that it is the board’s responsibility to hold the administration more accountable for these results.

Regents Exam results were also discussed with emphasis on the math test outcomes. Of the various breakdowns, 10% of the students tested at the level of B or better, indicating mastery of the subject. Siegel again wondered whether the board should be concerned that only 10% of the students have mastery of basic mathematical principles. Bliefernich responded that “we get a lot of our kids through,” to which Siegel replied, “the goal is mastery.” Returning to the discussion about graduation rates, Superintendent Robert Dufour averred that the current graduation rate is an anomaly and that the average graduation rate has historically been above the state average of 82%.

At the other end of the age-spectrum, Dufour stated that to date there are 19 students on the pre-Kindergarten roll for 2017-18. Asked about the required classroom size, Dufour said that with a teacher and aide, the maximum class size is 18; with a teacher and an assistant or two aides it is 20. In the past, enrollment has been sufficient to warrant two classes.

Questions were also raised regarding the responsibilities of the district treasurer and the role of BOCES in providing business service support. The district treasurer and transportation coordinator salaries were approved at $86,500 and $69,781, respectively.

Two teacher resignations were accepted with regret: those of Michael Hoover, who taught social studies, and Justin Glodich, a music teacher.

The district’s audit committee will consist of Paul Clark, community member, and Laput and Allyson Wagner, who took her seat as a board member at her first public meeting that evening.