Berlin School Dist.

by Phillip Zema
In the wake of Superintendant Gregory’s resignation, Berlin’s BOE had little time to decide who would assume leadership of the District.  On June 29, the BOE appointed Eileen Leffler, Grafton’s former Principal, as interim superintendant.  They also officially approved resolutions to make Berlin art instructor Jason Breh the interim middle school principal and Cathy Allain the high school principal with tenure. Each of these appointments takes effect on July 1.
[Read more…] about BCS Leadership Positions Filled

by Kieron Kramer
In a telephone conversation on Friday afternoon, June 18, Berlin Central School District Interim Superintendent of Schools Charlotte Gregory explained the purpose of the slate of resolutions she presented to the School Board to vote on in the Board of Education meeting on June 16. The resolutions were to be taken as a whole and were intended to meet the technical requirements for a series of reassignments throughout the School District’s administration. The first resolution, of course, was one in which Gregory’s resignation as Interim School Superintendent was accepted. [Read more…] about Setting The Record Straight

by Phillip Zema and Kieron Kramer
The amended Berlin Central School District budget passed by a vote of 603-252. The main feature of the new budget was its 0% tax levy. This figure was realized chiefly because no modular units will be added to Berlin Elementary. While the Proposition to purchase a 58 passenger handicap accessible bus passed (469 – 379), the Proposition to approve a $100k capital improvement project failed (436-415).
The budget passed, but there was still plenty of tumult at the BOE meeting. After a 1½ hour executive session, the BOE approved a resolution that featured the resignation of Superintendant of Schools Charlotte Gregory. Her term, accordingly, will end on June 30.
[Read more…] about BCS Budget Passes; Gregory Resigns

by Phillip Zema
As indicated by Tuesday’s budget hearing, not everyone is on board with the amended budget. In May the budget, which called for a 1.74% tax levy increase, was voted down. On May 28, an amended budget was adopted by the BOE, and it will go before the voters on June 15. The amended budget stands at $18,281,716, which is the exact level as the 2009-2010 budget. So if it passes, there will be no tax levy increase. Furthermore, while the elementary schools will be consolidated, no modular classrooms will be added at Berlin Elementary, cutting roughly $400k from the first budget. To create additional classroom space at Berlin, the District’s business and administrative offices will be sent to the Jr./Sr. High School in Cherry Plain.
[Read more…] about BCS Budget Hearing On Amended Budget

by Phillip Zema
A semblance of hope was carried into Friday’s pivotal budget workshop. While a contingency budget seemed inevitable, the Leadership Advisory Committee (LAC) – a conglomeration of teachers, BOE members and District residents – recommended a number of ways to amend the budget. For over a week the group met, and, despite disagreeing over several fundamental issues, like the economic, community and educational merits of keeping Grafton open, they devised strategies to cut costs without compromising the District’s educational needs. They did so in a forum based on mutual respect, transparency and hard work.
[Read more…] about Amended BCS Budget Features 0% Tax Increase