Dunkirk Superintendent Gary Cerne's report to the board of education Tuesday night contained mostly good news, although he reported about the recent break-in at School 4.
As the OBSERVER reported on April 13, Joshua Anzalone, 25, of Washington Avenue in Dunkirk was charged in connection with this incident as well as an entry into Jim's Dry Cleaners on East Fourth St.
Cerne said, "First of all thank you to the Dunkirk police department for a job well-done in catching the person. I would also like to thank Mr. Abbey and his crew who did a great job of getting the building back together in time for school to open. As you probably saw in the newspaper, the police have apprehended someone."
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OBSERVER Photo by Diane R. Chodan
Timothy Abbey, director of buildings, grounds and transportation, reported about the break-in at School 4 at the Dunkirk Board of Education meeting Tuesday.
Timothy Abbey, director of building, grounds and transportation had further information about the break-in.
He said, "I think our estimates on materials lost and damages were around $4,500, almost $5,000. ... It turned out to be fortunate because when he did make it in the building we had just finished installing our new security camera within the last month and it actually started recording ... which produced about two hours of footage which police could use to apprehend him. Poor timing on his part. I think it was fortunate for the neighborhood that he was caught early."
Board member David Damico asked, "The damage incurred, will our insurance cover that cost and whatever isn't (covered) will we be able to go back after the perpetrator?"
Cerne answered, "I believe we didn't quite reach our deductible. We will be seeking restitution from the perpetrator."
During the public comment section of the meeting, Kimberlee Texter, principal of School 4, expressed her gratitude to the Abbey's staff for getting things back to normal so school could reopen without any problems.
Cerne also reported "a great two weeks of construction during the break."
At the high school the gym is nearly completed and the corridors are open.
"The playground at School 3 is nearing completion. That is very exciting because the summer school will be there," Cerne said.
For Schools 4 and 5, he said that lots of odds and ends things are being accomplished, and the district is gearing up for major renovations to School 7 this summer.
Cerne hoped that Phase III of the renovations will go out to bid and be ready to begin during the summer of 2013.
In other good news, Cerne said that because the district did not use its snow days, Thursday May 24 could be a holiday giving the district a long Memorial Day weekend.
Finally, Cerne was optimistic that Driver's Education could be offered at a reasonable cost ($60 to $70) by cooperating with Silver Creek Central School and using BOCES as the provider.
Cerne said, "We've done a lot of neat things with Silver Creek. ... I'm real pleased with the nice relationship we've developed with Silver Creek.
Comments on this article may be directed to dchodan@observertoday.com
