At the Nov. 19 Skaneateles board of education meeting, Interim Superintendent of Schools Judy Pastel announced that the Skaneateles school district will propose another bond referendum for building work in May 2014.
The proposal, which will go on the same ballot as the annual budget vote, will be “phase two” of the needed facility work originally proposed in a $22.7 million capital project that was rejected by a public vote last June.
“Phase two will be another step forward in taking care of the water penetration that is occurring in the high school,” Pastel said.
As recommended by Pastel and Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Dale Bates, the board will be forming a six-person community facilities study group in early 2014 help the district decide what should be included in the next proposal.
The study group will work with the board facilities committee, composed of Kathryn Carlson, Thomas Lambdin and Sue Murphy, and staff and administrators to formulate a proposal. The proposition will be adopted by the board in March in order to get on the May ballot.
The study group will then reconvene in October 2014 to discuss future phases of work that may address those issues.
Asbestos abatement will likely be included in phase three, not two, since that is a more expensive project that would require more time for the district to plan out, Pastel said. The board has also yet to say when or how the sinking, and damaged, middle school gym will be addressed.
Carlson requested that any community members interested in serving on the committee send an email to [email protected].
Phase one of the needed facility work has already been approved by the board and will go to public vote on Dec. 10. That proposal totals $2.8 million and will include security upgrades, masonry restoration, window repairs and roof replacements deemed essential to protecting the building from further water damage.
In other business:
—The board voted to accept an independent audit of its finances for the 2012-13 school year. The audit was performed by the Bonadio Group. CPA Randy Shepard gave a brief overview of the audit’s findings, he said there were no big issues that need to be addressed, though he did note that the school lunch fund operated at a $33,000 deficit last year.
—The board and high school principal Gregory Santoro accepted the gift of a painting from resident Christy Lemp. The painting depicts several scenes from high school graduation. She was encouraged to frame her work and give it to the district by board member Sue Benjamin. Santoro said it will hang in the high school’s front office.
Joe Genco is the editor of the Skaneateles Press. He can be reached at [email protected].
