Mackenzie Elementary students will kick start their day

SUSAN WADE
Posted 8/21/19

ELDRED, NY — As they enter the elementary school campus, Eldred students are admonished to “strive to excel.” Starting in September, they’ll get a little more help in that …

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Mackenzie Elementary students will kick start their day

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ELDRED, NY — As they enter the elementary school campus, Eldred students are admonished to “strive to excel.” Starting in September, they’ll get a little more help in that endeavor.

Because enough students have enrolled in the free or reduced-cost lunch program, all elementary students will have the advantage of free breakfast and free lunch, as part of the Kick-Start Program. The district will be reimbursed by the state for the cost of the program.

Breakfast will be served in the individual classrooms and lunch will be eaten in the cafeteria. Elementary principal Scott Krebs reported to the school board at its August 15 meeting that he and food service personnel have gleaned workable tips from the lessons learned by other districts that have successfully implemented the program.

District treasurer Caleb Russell said that because not enough junior- and senior high school students have enrolled in the free- or reduced-cost lunch program, this benefit will not extend to the upper grade students. A letter will be sent to the homes of those students, encouraging their families to fill out the paperwork and see if they qualify.

Russell reported that the food service program’s finances have improved greatly this past year. The district was, in past years, cited for running severe deficits in its program, which is supposed to be self-sustaining. The prior year deficit of $55,000 was improved to a $1,900 deficit when the district raised prices, removed expensive items from the menu and made personnel adjustments.

Likewise, the district’s revenues for the school year just ended were $78,000 higher than expected. Expenses were $251,000 lower than budgeted, resulting in a surplus of $329,000, which will flow to the fund balance. At the end of the prior school year, the fund balance was a negative $65,000. A healthy fund balance is about 4% of a district’s operating budget, or about $800,000 for Eldred. Restoring financial health to the district has been an oft-stated priority for Russell and Superintendent Dr. John Morgano.

Morgano stated that he will remind the public at every opportunity that tax bills going out in September will reflect a 9.5% decrease from the prior year (Tusten residents will see a 12.5% decrease due to the intricacies of the tax equalization rates). Additionally, in September 2020, taxes will return to the amounts charged in September 2018.

The school resource officer assigned to the high school was introduced to the board and the agreement between the district and the sheriff’s office was ratified. The two armed officers serving in the two schools will be on duty from the time the students arrive in the morning until afternoon dismissal. The district will pay the sheriff’s office $140,000 for the service, paid for in part this coming year with assistance provided through Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther’s office.

The school principals reported that as of the date of the board meeting, 217 students are enrolled in grades seven through 12 (down from 235 at the end of the 2018-19 school year) and that 253 elementary students are enrolled. In June, 48 students graduated compared to an incoming seventh grade class of 33. There are currently 18 students enrolled in pre-Kindergarten with one student on a waiting list. Kindergarten enrollment as of the meeting date was 23. If enrollment reaches 30, the students will be split into two classes.

Eldred, School, school lunch, school breakfast

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