by Jim Golding
High school district trustees at their November meeting received a very positive report from the district’s outside auditor, and set the date for the budget vote in May.
Alan Yu of Coughlin, Foundotos, Cullen and Danowski LLP, said the auditing firm issued a “clean opinion,” the highest level of assurance for the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.
Mr. Yu said the district has “good internal controls” and is in “good financial condition.” The district has a surplus of $400,000 in its general fund.
In response to a question during visitors’ comments, Mr. Yu said some recommendations for improvement were made, including more controls over signatures for checks and tighter technology controls.
Trustees set Tuesday, May 19, for the annual budget vote for the 2009-10 budget. The annual budget meeting will be May 6, at the regular board meeting and the BOCES budget vote will be Wednesday, April 21.
The board accepted $50,000 in aid from the state budget obtained by state Senator Charles Fuschillo Jr. for the purchase of interactive white boards for the district.
Two students were recognized for their academic achievements, Kennedy High School student Olivia Levine as a finalist in the Siemens Science Competition, and Mepham High student Rocco Giamatteo for an achievement award in writing from the National Committee of Teachers of English.
Mepham High School alumni and student government have donated $24,500 to the district for an LED sign in front of the high school, and Calhoun High School’s On Tour company parent boosters donated $3,000 for a high definition camcorder, battery and carrying case, and to cover 50 percent of the bus transportation cost for the early December Northeast Theatre Conference in Waterbury, Connecticut.
In honor of New York State School Board Recognition Week, a chorus from Grand Avenue Middle School entertained with a musical selection and students from Merrick Avenue Middle School presented each board member of a caricature drawing of them. The PTA Coordinating Council offered a $300 donation for a literacy program.
Audience comments
One parent asked if English and social studies honors classes would be eliminated for incoming seventh- graders. Superintendent Dr. Henry Kiernan said there are “no plans to remove the honors program courses from the seventh grade.” He added there had been discussion at the faculty and administration level, but “it did not come to the board level.”
Another parent complained about too much testing in certain subject areas in a short amount of time, citing the recent situation where her child had five tests in one day.
Under new business, trustee Diane Seaman said that elective courses should be re-evaluated and new classes should be considered for the curriculum to keep it fresh and exciting.
Other actions
Trustees also approved the following:
• Hiring an education specialist to monitor a student’s progress and to support tutoring services for $10,791 through August 31 to be paid through Title I funds.
• A one-year agreement with Global Compliance Network to provide Internet-based training tutorials for staff at a cost of $1,400.
• An agreement with National Sound Industries for sound service at Kennedy High School’s winter and spring concerts, at a cost of $2,156.
• Waiving the $533 fee for Merrick Kiwanis to use Calhoun’s west cafeteria and kitchen for their annual pancake breakfast sunday, November 23.
• Waiving the $687.60 custodial fee for Merrick Brotherhood Council to use Calhoun’s auditorium for its free Thanksgiving Concert on Sunday, November 23.
• A memorandum of agreement with the secondary teachers union through June 30, 2010, for non-elective employer contributions to accounts established under the IRS code.
The board’s next regular meeting will be December 3.