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School board discusses potential personnel,
facility needs
By Byron Painter
Editor
Despite a precarious financial situation because of the uncertainty of state funding, the Williamsville
School Board on Monday night discussed potential personnel and facility needs for the 2010-11 school year.
Though the district is likely in better shape financially than others in the area and “might be one of the
few districts hiring,” in large part because of the belt-tightening and cuts of the last couple of years,
Superintendent Dave Root reminded the board that the district could revert back to significant financial
issues if the state funding dries up.
The state currently owes the district some $362,006, including $50,000 in transportation aid, $67,000 in
Title I and about $61,000 in Pre-K funding, be it from transportation or the general program itself.
The Pre-K program is grant-funded, but Root is extremely loathe to cut it out (if that funding falls through),
because of the importance of early childhood education to a child’s future.
“We have to try to keep the program afloat,” said Root.
If in fact major changes are made to the program, that decision will be made sooner rather than later,
the superintendent noted.
Just before that, Root gave his usual monthly update, which showed a balance of $3,375,405 in all
funds and $3,219,468 in the operating funds, a roughly $800,000 increase over last year’s numbers and a
fourfold increase compared to 2007 numbers.
The board briefly discussed the Chatham SASED exit, and later as one of action items, it approved
unanimously (4-0, Caldwell, Lazar, Stuewe absent) a resolution accepting the move; all boards of education
in SASED must do that.
Root will be the new Freedom of Information Act officer for the district, which had to create the position
after a new FOIA law was passed. District secretary Kay Carter is the backup person.
Root and Carter were approved for those positions in another one of the action items.
The next 25 minutes of the hour-long meeting was spent discussing potential personnel and facility
needs, which must be planned for no matter what the financial situation is.
“It will be hard to make these plans,” Root admitted.
Root discussed seven different ‘immediate staff needs’ for next year, starting with an Elementary
Assistant Principal position.
The district has not had an assistant principal at the elementary for the last two years, as one of the
budget-crunching moves. Janis Lindsey was assistant principal under Bev Snyder before being elevated to
the top slot.
Additional duties for the position would include curriculum director, which Root is filling currently (“and
not doing it justice,” in his words), RtI (Response to Intervention, an unfunded mandate as Root pointed out)
Coordinator and Grant Coordinator (Title I).
There are some 640 students enrolled at Sherman Elementary, and it is not the best situation when
Lindsey is out of the building, Root commented.
Root wants to move quickly, because the earlier this position would be advertised, the better the pool of
applicants.
The second need was a part-time high school math teacher (four classes). The district is currently
paying for two overloads, which would be eliminated and would also help pay for the position.
Also, two math classes are being taught by a science teacher now, which can only be done for one year
under new certification rules under No Child Left Behind.
The district when advertising for the position could also look for a dual certification teacher, who also
could teach English or Social Studies, which are facing a shortage as well (though filling positions in those
areas is more down the road if necessary, according to Root).
The third need is back at Sherman Elementary, which might need an additional full-time teacher
depending on enrollment numbers.
As reported previously, 27 is the ‘magic number’ for the district, which does not want to have any
elementary teacher have that many kids in a class.
The current first grade class is right at the 27-number threshold, and the current third grade (25 per
class) and fourth grade (24) are knocking on the door.
“(A class with) 24 or 25 is doable,” said Root, “but 27-29 is really tough.”
The fourth need would be additional time for the part-time elementary art position, though specials
(physical education and music) could be affected.
The fifth need would be adding an additional classroom in order to keep the middle school closed,
which would continue to save the district money.
The last two needs listed by Root were a possible part-time RtI aide at the junior high and also a part-
time technology assistant/coach.
Root acknowledged he would “normally put instruction before administration,” but he is making an
exception in the elementary assistant principal situation.
On the facility needs list, there were two main concerns, which are to be discussed at a Building
Committee meeting in February yet to be set: Continued upgrading of the parking lots and a resurfacing of
the high school track, which is already two years past due.
There have been two bids received for the latter project, but at least one more bid is expected.
Other issues listed by Root were: addressing minor issues on the 10-year Health, Life, Safety report;
updating the outdoor visiting football bleachers (they are open and must be fixed to ‘close’ them); updating
and conditioning the middle school as needed; middle school playground; updating the lights in the gym
with energy efficiency lights; the high school gym bleachers and floor; and replacing roofs as needed and
also replacing the backup middle school boiler.
Root noted that the high school bleachers are passing inspection, but that project is not that far off;
doing the floor at the same time would be best, but the cost might run around $150,000.
In other action items, the board, all by 4-0 votes:
--Recommendation to keep executive meeting minutes sealed;
--Recommendation to renew Lincoln Regional Delivery Systems yearly agreement (L-Tech);
--Recommendation to approve district policy 2:250 — Access to District Public Records (this is in
response to the new FOIA law);
--Recommendation to approve FOIA officers, as noted above;
--Recommendation to approve Megan Miller as high school volunteer assistant girls soccer coach;
--Recommendation to approve maternity leave for Lisa Bosworth, high school music teacher; and
--Recommendation to approve the SASED Chatham exit resolution, as noted above.
The board then retired to executive session “for the purpose of discussing the performance of
personnel.”
The board took no votes after returning to open session and then adjourned.
facility needs
By Byron Painter
Editor
Despite a precarious financial situation because of the uncertainty of state funding, the Williamsville
School Board on Monday night discussed potential personnel and facility needs for the 2010-11 school year.
Though the district is likely in better shape financially than others in the area and “might be one of the
few districts hiring,” in large part because of the belt-tightening and cuts of the last couple of years,
Superintendent Dave Root reminded the board that the district could revert back to significant financial
issues if the state funding dries up.
The state currently owes the district some $362,006, including $50,000 in transportation aid, $67,000 in
Title I and about $61,000 in Pre-K funding, be it from transportation or the general program itself.
The Pre-K program is grant-funded, but Root is extremely loathe to cut it out (if that funding falls through),
because of the importance of early childhood education to a child’s future.
“We have to try to keep the program afloat,” said Root.
If in fact major changes are made to the program, that decision will be made sooner rather than later,
the superintendent noted.
Just before that, Root gave his usual monthly update, which showed a balance of $3,375,405 in all
funds and $3,219,468 in the operating funds, a roughly $800,000 increase over last year’s numbers and a
fourfold increase compared to 2007 numbers.
The board briefly discussed the Chatham SASED exit, and later as one of action items, it approved
unanimously (4-0, Caldwell, Lazar, Stuewe absent) a resolution accepting the move; all boards of education
in SASED must do that.
Root will be the new Freedom of Information Act officer for the district, which had to create the position
after a new FOIA law was passed. District secretary Kay Carter is the backup person.
Root and Carter were approved for those positions in another one of the action items.
The next 25 minutes of the hour-long meeting was spent discussing potential personnel and facility
needs, which must be planned for no matter what the financial situation is.
“It will be hard to make these plans,” Root admitted.
Root discussed seven different ‘immediate staff needs’ for next year, starting with an Elementary
Assistant Principal position.
The district has not had an assistant principal at the elementary for the last two years, as one of the
budget-crunching moves. Janis Lindsey was assistant principal under Bev Snyder before being elevated to
the top slot.
Additional duties for the position would include curriculum director, which Root is filling currently (“and
not doing it justice,” in his words), RtI (Response to Intervention, an unfunded mandate as Root pointed out)
Coordinator and Grant Coordinator (Title I).
There are some 640 students enrolled at Sherman Elementary, and it is not the best situation when
Lindsey is out of the building, Root commented.
Root wants to move quickly, because the earlier this position would be advertised, the better the pool of
applicants.
The second need was a part-time high school math teacher (four classes). The district is currently
paying for two overloads, which would be eliminated and would also help pay for the position.
Also, two math classes are being taught by a science teacher now, which can only be done for one year
under new certification rules under No Child Left Behind.
The district when advertising for the position could also look for a dual certification teacher, who also
could teach English or Social Studies, which are facing a shortage as well (though filling positions in those
areas is more down the road if necessary, according to Root).
The third need is back at Sherman Elementary, which might need an additional full-time teacher
depending on enrollment numbers.
As reported previously, 27 is the ‘magic number’ for the district, which does not want to have any
elementary teacher have that many kids in a class.
The current first grade class is right at the 27-number threshold, and the current third grade (25 per
class) and fourth grade (24) are knocking on the door.
“(A class with) 24 or 25 is doable,” said Root, “but 27-29 is really tough.”
The fourth need would be additional time for the part-time elementary art position, though specials
(physical education and music) could be affected.
The fifth need would be adding an additional classroom in order to keep the middle school closed,
which would continue to save the district money.
The last two needs listed by Root were a possible part-time RtI aide at the junior high and also a part-
time technology assistant/coach.
Root acknowledged he would “normally put instruction before administration,” but he is making an
exception in the elementary assistant principal situation.
On the facility needs list, there were two main concerns, which are to be discussed at a Building
Committee meeting in February yet to be set: Continued upgrading of the parking lots and a resurfacing of
the high school track, which is already two years past due.
There have been two bids received for the latter project, but at least one more bid is expected.
Other issues listed by Root were: addressing minor issues on the 10-year Health, Life, Safety report;
updating the outdoor visiting football bleachers (they are open and must be fixed to ‘close’ them); updating
and conditioning the middle school as needed; middle school playground; updating the lights in the gym
with energy efficiency lights; the high school gym bleachers and floor; and replacing roofs as needed and
also replacing the backup middle school boiler.
Root noted that the high school bleachers are passing inspection, but that project is not that far off;
doing the floor at the same time would be best, but the cost might run around $150,000.
In other action items, the board, all by 4-0 votes:
--Recommendation to keep executive meeting minutes sealed;
--Recommendation to renew Lincoln Regional Delivery Systems yearly agreement (L-Tech);
--Recommendation to approve district policy 2:250 — Access to District Public Records (this is in
response to the new FOIA law);
--Recommendation to approve FOIA officers, as noted above;
--Recommendation to approve Megan Miller as high school volunteer assistant girls soccer coach;
--Recommendation to approve maternity leave for Lisa Bosworth, high school music teacher; and
--Recommendation to approve the SASED Chatham exit resolution, as noted above.
The board then retired to executive session “for the purpose of discussing the performance of
personnel.”
The board took no votes after returning to open session and then adjourned.
Issue Date: Jan. 21, 2010