BCS Board Deals With Aftermath Of The Bond Referendum

by Phillip M. Zema
The ambiance surrounding the December 15 Berlin School Board meeting was rather gloomy. With the $19.7M referendum failing to pass by a 4-1 margin, the Board briefly discussed which direction the school ought to take. Members of the Board, however, agreed that the original referendum plan needed closure, and so it was asked that the project’s committee provide a final overview. Also at this meeting a former Board member expressed his disconcertion over poor math Regents exams, and the Board rejected a government mandated construction project, albeit the agency clearly indicated the work was necessary.
Of the 1,037 people who voted on December 8, 820 voted against the capital project. Board members Thomas Morelli and Beverly Stewart were adamant that the original project needed extreme modifications; the vote blatantly indicated that the community was not on board with such an expensive and risky project. Board members Elizabeth Miller and John Greene, however, expressed a need for closure; accordingly, they wanted a final report by the referendum committee. The report would include discussion regarding why the vote failed and where the District ought to proceed. The issue may be discussed further  at the Board’s budget workshop on January 13, but the committee will give its final report at the next Board meeting, on January 19. Regardless, it was clear from the Board that drastic changes must be made before the community approves any capital project.
The District was mandated by the State Education Department to, by December 31, renovate the pavement on the north side of the elementary school to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Since concrete does not set well during winter (the severe cold diminishes its strength), it was imperative the school hire a contractor as soon as possible. The District considered several proposals, but before anyone was hired, the Board had to approve. The proposal did not pass the vote, however, as Morelli, Greene and Stewart voted no and Gina Goodermote abstained. Controversy arose because Gina Goodermote’s husband’s proposal was the one accepted. While there is nothing illegal about this action, and although the District considered several proposals, several Board members feared the District’s residents would be upset with the procedure. They claimed the job should have been publicly advertised through a newspaper (or some other public means). Moreover, since concrete sets better during warmer months, some argued that it would be more economically efficient to delay the project until spring. Regardless, the proposal did not pass, and it is not clear if legal consequences will result.
There was also an issue over whether the Berlin School Board should remain a member of the New York State School Board Association (NYSSBA). The worry, as expressed by Stewart, was that the costs of membership ($6,115 annually) did not outweigh the benefits (e.g. access to valuable information, useful connections and helpful pedagogical, financial and legal workshops). Since the District is attempting to reduce expenditures, and one need not be a member in order to attend NYSSBA events, Morelli and Stewart voted against membership. Nonetheless, the Board voted 5-2 in favor of continuing membership.
Former Board member Don French was concerned about the school’s low math scores. He claimed that less than 5% of Berlin students got As on algebra, geometry and trigonometry Regents exams, 58% scored between a C and D and roughly a fifth of the students failed the exams. At the beginning of the school year, French had contacted the Board but has yet to be given a response. He vehemently implored the Board to investigate the issue. Also, the Board approved the Spanish Clubs 2011 trip to Spain, organized by Mrs. Beisler, one of the middle/high school Spanish teachers, the trip will provide an invaluable educational and cultural experience for all participants.