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Welcome Party Held for New Hadane Superintendent, Dr. Mark Villanti
Board approves new proposed budget for school year 2007/08, raising taxes by expected 3.99%
by Margaret O'Sullivan
Dr. Mark Villanti, the new Haldane School District Superintendent, was given a warm welcome on April 11, 2007. Haldane School Board President, Dave Merandy introduced Dr. Villanti and his wife Liz to a substantial gathering of teachers, community residents and students. Dr. Villanti commented that he was very "comfortable" in Cold Spring as he is currently Superintendent of Duanesburg School District, which is just about the same size as Haldane. He told the PCN&R that he is a "hands on" type of Superintendent and wants to make the school a broader part of the community. "I like to get involved, and I want to know the students and I want them to know me." He realizes the challenges, new New York State standards, new technology and the difficulty of balancing teaching of the curriculum and the necessity of testing.
During this part of the meeting a presentation was given by Debbi Milner and her husband John Milner on the Reflections Program, which is a PTAsponsored program nationwide. Twelve Haldane students were involved and were successful enough to go to the Regionals. Five went to the State and two were subsequently acknowledged as Merit Award winners. The Reflections Program is an annual program that provides opportunities for students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts. The Milners and the PTA hope this program will continue.
When the festivities were concluded, the Board held their regularly scheduled business meeting. Six teachers who had been introduced to the community were approved for tenure. Lara Dio Dati, Elementary Education, Christine Donovan, Teaching Assistant, Kevin Dougherty, Technology, Dr. Robert Mack, Physics, Josiah Peparo, Elementary Education, Mark Wick, Elementary Education. Reports were given by Maggie Davis, Elementary Principal, Andy Irvin, Middle School/High School Principal and Wayne Robinson, Director of Facilities.
During Mr. Robinson's report he mentioned the need for the proper equipment to maintain the athletic fields. This equipment could also be used in the winter to plow and clear snow off the campus. Mary Rice questioned him about this equipment and he replied that he hoped to be able to rent some machinery soon to ascertain just what time of equipment would be best before any money was spent on a purchase since he hopes to find something that will fulfill the many needs that Haldane has.
A letter from Mr. and Mrs. Waldemar Schaefer was discussed by the Board in regards to the basketball court near their home on Mountain Ave. They wrote that students are there all hours of the day and night playing basketball. It is not only the noise of the playing and the ball bouncing on the court that is annoying to the Schaefers, they wrote, but the language that emanates from the mouths of the players is most disturbing. The Board could not find a solution to the problem but will look into it and hope to find something that will not only alleviate the annoyance to the Schaefers but will still allow the students to play on the court.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda and all items on the New Business agenda. In the new business was the acceptance of two grants from the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, Inc., which prompted Makaria Gallagher to ask, why, if there is recycling in Cold Spring and a big push from New York State, Haldane does not recycle bottles and plastic, only paper. The only answer that could be given by Dr. Di Natale was that a pickup has not yet been organized. Makaria persisted saying that all the students should be taught at an early age to recycle and not to litter. The Board will look into the situation. Also during this part of the meeting the board accepted an anonymous donation of $5,000 earmarked for the 9D softball field infield renovation. This was solicited and coordinated through the efforts of Wayne Robinson, the Haldane maintenance staff, Philipstown Little League and Nick Lisikatos.
Although a discussion of the budget was not on the agenda, Dr. Di Natale brought up the fact that through hard work and diligence, he and his staff had managed to reduce the budget. $178,000 was eliminated from the original budget proposal and subsequently word was received that there would be additional State aid. The new budget is now $18,630,241 for the school year 2007/08. The current budget is $17,529,590. During the discussion it was stated that money had been put back into the budget for a modified soccer team. Board President, Dave Merandy questioned this as not only is transportation an issue but the playing fields are in bad shape. So, he mused, "why at this juncture should we put money into the budget for something that probably will not happen." He also opined on the overall sports budget stating that it "far exceeds budgets" for other extracurricular actives, such as music, art and theater and felt that the Board had to look at the entire student body, "why add another team and ignore music?"
When it came time for the vote, the Board voted to accept the budget with the additional money added for the soccer team, with Dave Merandy the only dissenting vote.
The referendum will have three propositions 1. The budget of $18,630,241, which will raise taxes by 3.99%, 2. The purchase of two buses and a van for $203,330 and 3. The purchase of the two currently leased modular classrooms for $64,000.
The Board is scheduled to next meet on April 24 at 7pm
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