LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — At the November 20 meeting of the Sullivan West Central School District Board of Education, a contingent of 35 to 40 senior veterans, some with World War II service, presented an eloquent plea for adoption of the Alternative Veterans’ Tax Exemption (AVTE) law.

Signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on December 18, 2013, the AVTE authorizes school districts to offer primary residence real property tax exemptions to veterans with combat experience, based on three levels of eligibility: A 15% reduction in assessed value to veterans who served during a time of war; an additional 10% reduction in assessed value to veterans serving in combat zones (includes recipients of expeditionary medals); and an additional reduction in assessed value to veterans who incur service-connected disabilities, equal to one-half of their service-connected disability ratings, regardless of whether such veterans served in combat zones.

For veterans to claim these exemptions on 2015-2016 school taxes, affirmative action by each district’s board of education (to include a public hearing and adoption of resolution) is required by March 1, 2015.

After noting that Orange County school districts overwhelmingly endorsed AVTE adoption, a spokesman for the veterans stated simply that all veterans pay a price for their service and that the choice to adopt this law would be a good way to honor their sacrifice.

Assistant superintendent for administrative services Lorraine Poston thanked the veterans for their input, acknowledged that the administration is familiarizing itself with the new law’s provisions, and confirmed that action would be taken in advance of the March 1 deadline.

For more information about AVTE provisions and for veteran filing instructions, see www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/exemption/altvetoverview.htm.

Veterans were filing out of the meeting as two Sullivan West high school students, Trevor Bolles and Jared Kusner, took the podium to let the world know about the wonders of the geodesic dome located near the high school’s athletic field complex. Known around the school as “the geodome,” the Mylar-paneled building is designed to provide firsthand sustainability experience for students and the general public alike. It was a brainchild of the Earth Science Club, which is responsible for its operation and maintenance, but biology students are already involved with nurturing plant and animal life within its walls.

District Superintendent Nancy P. Hackett noted that Bolles and Kusner were on board from day one. Mentioning that the district had advertised for retirees and others with spare time to help build the geodome, she said she was surprised to see two youthful helpers among the predominantly mature volunteers. Bolles and Kusner spent every available minute on geodome construction.

Their explanation of the complex workings of the dome was deceptively simple. In essence, it is a self-sustaining ecosystem. The geometric panels can withstand 2,000 pounds of pressure each, so even a succession of blizzards should not threaten structural integrity. Heated by solar energy, the geodome maintains a constant year-round indoor temperature between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, as it supports a variety of plant and animal life in both soil and water. A board member asked who would benefit most from the geodome. Bolles and Kusner replied, “Initially, earth science students, but there’s something there for everyone really.”

For complete meeting minutes and full text of resolutions, see www.swcsd.org/.