Schools

Pearl River Teachers, Parents Pack Pirate Cove for Budget Workshop

Pearl River Board of Education hears presentations regarding middle school, elementary schools, special services, technology and transportation.

The crowds for Pearl River Board of Education meeting keep getting bigger as the budget vote gets closer.

Parents, teachers, administrators and residents packed Pirate Cove at Pearl River High School for Tuesday's board meeting which was followed by the latest in a series of budget presentations.

Tuesday's workshop focused on the middle school, elementary schools, special services, technology and transportation.

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The last item on the list drew the strongest comments. The district put together a committee to study options for saving money in transportation, particularly cutting down the area for schools that bussing would be available. According to district director of operations Quinton Van Wynen, Pearl River could save $190,000 with proposed reductions in the area for the high school and $510,000 for the middle school. There are concerns about traffic at drop-off and pick-up at the middle school if the change would be made.

A number of parents spoke up in favor of making the cuts in transportation.

Find out what's happening in Pearl Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I'm more for keeping teachers and programs than bussing," said parent Eileen Kelly, who was a member of the transportation committee.

Evans Park principal Peggy Lynch and Lincoln Avenue principal Katheenann Cool made the presentation for the district's three elementary schools. Among the potential cuts they identified were 1.5 librarians. Rosemary Amabile, currently the librarian for both Evans Park and Franklin Avenue Elementary Schools, is retiring at the end of this school year. Cuts could also impact the PREP Enrichment program and band as well as clubs. The changes would create some scheduling difficulties, but Cool and Lynch felt it could be managed if necessary.

Middle school principal Maria Paese pointed to possible personnel cuts that would be the equivalent of 2.2 full-time employees coming from various departments and the elimination of two or three clubs.

Carolyn Moffa's Special Education Services presentation pointed out potential cost issues such as the district's contribution to the Summer Handicap Program possibly rising from 20% to 60.

"The governor has decided it would be more than fair for us to pay 60%," Van Wynen said. "That's going to take our costs just in this one small area up approximately $50,000 for the months of July and August just to maintain that program."

The state education department also told districts that they can no longer use Emergency Interim Placements for students with special needs, removing an option that had been helpful for some students. Though the number of special education students has not risen in the district, the cost has -- from a $6,918,933 in 2008-09 to a projected $8.590,285 in 2011-12.

The next board of education meeting is set for March 29, with more updates and a general outline of the budget to be presented. There will be a public budget bearing May 3, with the budget vote and school board election set for May 17.


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