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Monday, June 30, 2008
$2.2M for Road and Weights - Vote is Tonight
The votes to spend $1.2M to upgrade the weightroom and $1M to build a road between the new MS and HS will take place tonight at the Board Room behind the high school in the North Campus at 7:30 p.m.
The road was turned down, and the weight room renovation and expansion was approved.
It was pointed out that this is money that has already been borrowed as part of the Middle School debt ($24 million). The money doesn't have to be spent, though. So, at least $1 million won't be.
One other positive was that there were more community members than normal. About 7-8 were there and a few spoke (including me, of course). Let's hope this trend continues. We need more community participation.
Also of note was the discussion and vote about the Community College agreement. Basically, NCCC is looking to add 30 years to the agreement of sponsorships with the school districts. This would extend it to 2056. That means that all 8 districts involved would be committed to funding the college for the next 48 years. The real problem is that there is no oversight or approval authority on the school districts' parts for capital borrowing.
After much debate, a motion was made by Mr. Bradley to table the vote until NASD can further study the situation. Proposed was to go to the County to ask if they would contribute as well. We are the only district not to approve this extension yet. So, NASD has some leverage.
My personal opinion - good move. While funding the NCCC is a good move, the current agreement may need a new look. Also, extending it for 48 years from now (30 year extension from 2026) seems nuts.
It was also asked at the end of the meeting if there are any provisions for replacing Dr. Marino on the board, who has been absent for most meetings this past year. The solicitor will come back with any steps which can be taken at the next meeting.
That's it for now. I will add more if I've forgotten anything after I review my notes.
As for Marino, it appears somebody beat me to the punch. Nothing personal of course, but if you are elected to serve, then serve. Show up for meetings and contribute.
As for the votes, the Express Times (lehigh valley live) now apprently has it correct.
So what were the votes anyway? Did anyone vote FOR the road? Was anyone opposed to the expansion of the weight room? What I find interesting, is that the original proposal (Option 1) to renovate the existing space for approximately $400K (which I was a good compromise/solution) wasn't even an option.
It's easy to get what you want when you only present what you want
The road - 3 Yes (Butz, Audenried, Heller) and 4 No (Maher, Treon, Bradley, McDonald)
The weight room had Maher as the only no.
I was surprised that the road failed. I didn't think the votes were there without Hensley at the meeting....
I still don't understand justifying doubling the size of the weight room now.
Since this money's been borrowed already, it's no more taxes on us. At least the million from the road can be put aside now for the unexpected.
I missed this part -- Lots and lots of resignations and hirings for next year. The board approved Michael Roth (coming back to the district) as Diane Dautrich's replacement.
Glad to see your note regarding the return of Mr. Roth. I am curious what other employment hiring/resignations were approved that were not on the agenda that was posted on the district webpage?
(Not to sound suspicious, but this is how the hiring of Melosky went unnoticed by so many people. The agenda was posted on a Friday, without Melosky and then at the meeting Monday he was hired. In of Melosky, was there any mention of him and his salary? When looking at the list of EPED for football only 3 out of the 13 positions listed have a salary and Melosky is not listed at all. I doubt that the other 10 people are not being compensated. Further looks show that those who are not being compensated have $0 for a salary, but the 10 football positions are left blank.)
However, back to my original comment, I am happy to hear that Mr. Roth returned. He was great asset at the MS and I am sure that he can NOW be a great asset to the administration and the curriculum of the district.
The weight room needs to be larger. The gym classes are so large, that you have no room to move around. Everyone down there is in the way of another. So I am glad to see this happen.
As for the culvert when the new building opens and you see the traffic mess and saftey hazards increase you will be woundering why the Board didn't put it in. By that time the price tag will increase dramaticly.
6 comments:
Quick update from tonight's meeting....
The road was turned down, and the weight room renovation and expansion was approved.
It was pointed out that this is money that has already been borrowed as part of the Middle School debt ($24 million). The money doesn't have to be spent, though. So, at least $1 million won't be.
One other positive was that there were more community members than normal. About 7-8 were there and a few spoke (including me, of course). Let's hope this trend continues. We need more community participation.
Also of note was the discussion and vote about the Community College agreement. Basically, NCCC is looking to add 30 years to the agreement of sponsorships with the school districts. This would extend it to 2056.
That means that all 8 districts involved would be committed to funding the college for the next 48 years. The real problem is that there is no oversight or approval authority on the school districts' parts for capital borrowing.
After much debate, a motion was made by Mr. Bradley to table the vote until NASD can further study the situation. Proposed was to go to the County to ask if they would contribute as well. We are the only district not to approve this extension yet. So, NASD has some leverage.
My personal opinion - good move. While funding the NCCC is a good move, the current agreement may need a new look. Also, extending it for 48 years from now (30 year extension from 2026) seems nuts.
It was also asked at the end of the meeting if there are any provisions for replacing Dr. Marino on the board, who has been absent for most meetings this past year. The solicitor will come back with any steps which can be taken at the next meeting.
That's it for now. I will add more if I've forgotten anything after I review my notes.
Scott
The Expresstimes on line reports the weight room was turned down and the road approved?? Which is it?
Scott-
Thanks for the update.
As for Marino, it appears somebody beat me to the punch. Nothing personal of course, but if you are elected to serve, then serve. Show up for meetings and contribute.
As for the votes, the Express Times (lehigh valley live) now apprently has it correct.
So what were the votes anyway? Did anyone vote FOR the road? Was anyone opposed to the expansion of the weight room? What I find interesting, is that the original proposal (Option 1) to renovate the existing space for approximately $400K (which I was a good compromise/solution) wasn't even an option.
It's easy to get what you want when you only present what you want
Marino and Hensley were both absent
The road - 3 Yes (Butz, Audenried, Heller) and 4 No (Maher, Treon, Bradley, McDonald)
The weight room had Maher as the only no.
I was surprised that the road failed. I didn't think the votes were there without Hensley at the meeting....
I still don't understand justifying doubling the size of the weight room now.
Since this money's been borrowed already, it's no more taxes on us. At least the million from the road can be put aside now for the unexpected.
I missed this part -- Lots and lots of resignations and hirings for next year. The board approved Michael Roth (coming back to the district) as Diane Dautrich's replacement.
Next meetings are 7/21, 8/11, 8/25.
Scott
Glad to see your note regarding the return of Mr. Roth. I am curious what other employment hiring/resignations were approved that were not on the agenda that was posted on the district webpage?
(Not to sound suspicious, but this is how the hiring of Melosky went unnoticed by so many people. The agenda was posted on a Friday, without Melosky and then at the meeting Monday he was hired. In of Melosky, was there any mention of him and his salary? When looking at the list of EPED for football only 3 out of the 13 positions listed have a salary and Melosky is not listed at all. I doubt that the other 10 people are not being compensated. Further looks show that those who are not being compensated have $0 for a salary, but the 10 football positions are left blank.)
However, back to my original comment, I am happy to hear that Mr. Roth returned. He was great asset at the MS and I am sure that he can NOW be a great asset to the administration and the curriculum of the district.
The weight room needs to be larger. The gym classes are so large, that you have no room to move around. Everyone down there is in the way of another. So I am glad to see this happen.
As for the culvert when the new building opens and you see the traffic mess and saftey hazards increase you will be woundering why the Board didn't put it in. By that time the price tag will increase dramaticly.
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