BROCTON - Board member David Hazelton thinks the State of New York should pay interest to Brocton School District.
Business Executive Betty DeLand reported about tax collection which has been completed for the district. A total of $2,844,575.54 was collected. The unpaid amount of $419,794 will be sent to the county for collection, and $8,395 in interest and penalties will be added.
DeLand also explained that STAR monies in the amount of about 35,000 has been received from the state, but the district is due $1,135,215.
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OBSERVER Photo by Diane R. Chodan
David Hazelton, board member asks that a letter be written concerning charging the state a penalty for paying the Brocton district late. Left to right: Linda Miller, district clerk; Sandra Olson, elementary principal, Hazelton, and Steve Smith, board member.
"It is ridiculous and we are being penalized,"said Hazelton. He said if taxpayers are penalized for not paying on time, the state should be penalized for not paying on time.
Superintendent John Hertlein said he would write a letter to state legislators even though it probably wouldn't make a difference.
At this point District Clerk Linda Miller reported the Chautauqua County School Boards Association would be having its meeting on Nov. 29 and State Senator Catharine Young would be the speaker. Miller said that the board members could take the opportunity to talk to Young about the topic. Several board members as well as Hertlein will attend the meeting.
A number of policies were updated. Board member Susan Hardy reported, "This is mostly to bring the policies into line."
Policies accepted after the first reading were: regular board meetings and rules, curriculum development resources and evaluation, internet safety/internet content filtering policy, credential options for students with disabilities, school bus safety program, and family and medical leave act. The policy on the use of surveillance cameras in the school district was referred for a second reading.
The board approved a resolution to dispose of surplus items. Teachers' metal desks, two-drawer metal files, large metal storage cabinets, old broken brass French horns, wooden teachers' desks, and an old steel sink, iMacs and an overhead projector. District residents can purchase these items for a cost approximating the scrap value.
Hertlein reported that the consolidation study focus group process is nearly complete and that the Advisory Committee will meet at the Brocton School at 5 p.m. on Nov. 20 for a tour and then meet at 6 p.m. This meeting is open to the public.
During his report, Hazelton said that a concerned citizen contacted him about the election procedure that was followed during the last consolidation vote, pointing out that there was no identification mechanism. He said that if there is a straw vote it is eight months in the future. He said the districts should make sure the same policy is followed in both districts, and now was a good time to start thinking about it.
Hertlein said he would call David Davison, the superintendent of Westfield and check into the situation.
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