Rough Week For The School Buildings
By Alex Brooks
The Hoosick Falls Central School had a tough week starting October 7, with a series of building problems that closed the school on Thursday and Friday October 8 and 9. The violent storm that came through Hoosick Falls on Wednesday afternoon took out both the power and the internet connection to the school and power was not fully restored until Sunday. Then on Friday morning a heating pipe in the Elementary School Library burst and flooded the area near where it happened.
This pipe heats half of the Elementary School building, and it was in a location that was very difficult to get to. Repair crews had to jackhammer through concrete to get to it in order to repair the broken pipe. They worked all weekend to repair the heating system and to clean up the water damage. Monday October 12 was a holiday anyway, so no school days were lost because of the burst pipe. The school reopened on Tuesday October 13. All of the damage was repaired except that the Elementary library is out of commission for an extended period. Superintendent Dailey said he hopes to get the library back in service by Christmas time.
Dailey said the District has learned that its insurance will pay for the expense of repairing the heating system and cleaning up the water damage, so this mishap with the heating system will not be a financial burden on the District.
The meeting began with a moment of silence for Hunter Gauthier, an HFCS student who died the week before at the age of 20. He was remembered during the meeting by Director of Special Education Kristin Philpott and special needs bus driver Wendy Baker. Gauthier was a special needs student at HFCS for most of his life, starting as a pre-schooler. Philpott described his love of music and how much he enjoyed riding in the side car his father put on the four wheeler to take him for rides. She said despite his challenges, he was happy, and he found joy in life. Baker, who drove him every day to the Langan School in Albany, said every year Hunter was happier, sweeter and funnier than the year before. She said although he remained non-verbal, he could certainly communicate. Baker choked with emotion as she said “Bus 47 will never be the same without him.” Diane Hunter, who was his aide for many years, said “taking care of Hunter wasn’t a job, it was a joy,” and spoke of her “amazing years working with him.”
Free Meals
Business Administrator Emily Sanders has been notified that USDA will provide free meals for all students at HFCS through June 30, 2021. She said she encourages all students to sign up for meals – call the school and ask to be put on the list. 100% of the school population is eligible to receive free meals either delivered or for pickup, but unless the student is on the free and reduced lunch list, he or she must sign up to get the meals. Sanders said the more students that sign up, the better it is for the District, so the District is happy to provide the free meals to any student who wants them.
The Board approved the Corrective Action Plan written by Sanders in response to an audit finding that the year-end fund balance was larger than State guidelines (4%) allow. The letter said the excess funds were used for reopening costs and to make up revenue shortfalls caused by State aid cuts.
Sanders said the State aid checks received in September and October were paid in full and there was no 20% deduction, and that was also true of a small aid check that comes from Lottery funds. She said the District’s really big aid check (about $4 million) comes in March, and she expects the 20% cut will be in that check if there has still been no COVID relief funding for states by that time.
Winter Sports
HFCS Superintendent Pat Dailey said there is a meeting this week about winter sports, and he expects a decision soon about what will happen with winter sports.
Dailey also said that the day of this meeting an inspector came to “commission” the new boilers, which means making sure that everything has been installed properly and is working properly. The process cannot be completed until there is some cold weather and the heating system can be observed in full operation. Facilities Committee chair John Helft also said that it appears to him the system is operating at higher pressure than necessary, and he is seeking an answer from the contractor and/or the commissioning inspector about that issue.
Sanders also said the District has received some communications from the State Education Department indicating they are nearing completion of their review of the District’s plans for Phase II of the Capital Project, which is to begin next summer. She expects full approval of the Phase II plans will be received soon.
School Board Recognition
Schools Superintendent Pat Dailey read a proclamation recognizing the contribution of school board members to the NYS educational system, saluting their expertise and dedication and appreciating their crucial role in making the school the best that it can be. He said there are a total of 46 years of experience among the members of this board, an average of almost 7 years of experience each, and he said he is thankful to have a board with so much knowledge and experience to bring to the job. The HFTA also presented the School Board members with treats from Bella Napoli.