School project won't raise taxes

DUNDEE—At their Jan. 8 meeting, Dundee Central School District board of education voted to hold a district wide vote on a $18,036,881 capital project March 31.

The needed work would include renovations and improvements to the Pre K-12 school building including heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, roof replacement and athletic field upgrades. The work will be paid for by using state building aid including Excel aid, $1,000,000 from the Capital Reserve which was established by district voters in January 2007 and $11,000 of unexpended fund balance from the 2008-09 fiscal year. 

Following the meeting, Superintendent of Schools Nancy Zimar said, “There will be no new taxes levied. The impact on the budget is zero.”

There will be three public information meetings on the project; 6 p.m. March 11 and 18 and 1 p.m. March 27.

In other business:

• Agreed to eliminate a requirement for this year’s seniors to participate in volunteer work that would have been a requirement for graduation. Credit will be given for volunteer work that is done.

• Zimar spoke to the board about budget issues. 

• Elementary principal Kathy Ring spoke about the Reading First Program. Later Zimar said eventually there will be common languages and strategies for grades Kindergarten through six. 

• Junior high school principal Laurie Hopkins-Halbert reported on special education. Students who returned to campus from BOCES several years ago are now ready to enter junior and senior high school. Additional staff will be needed. Life and working skills programs will be added.

• Board members approved the district Strategic Plan.

• Susan Morse was recognized for obtaining a $998 mini grant titled, “Enhancing Speech/Language Therapy Through the Use of Computer Software” from the Teacher Resource Center.

• Senior Samantha Pratt received recognition for her induction into the National Honor Society Dec. 9. 

There will be a Community round table at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 which will be followed at 7 p.m. by the regular meeting of the board of education. Both will be in the public meeting room.