School Board worried over potential 7 percent spending hike

Sidway principal, interim school chief named

by Kathy Duff
Grand Island Dispatch, March 17, 2006

Tough budget news and the appointment of an interim leader for the district were among the key developments at Monday’s School Board meeting.

Board members expressed concern over how the residents will react to its 2006-07 budget proposal, as they reviewed a second draft of the budget that increases spending by 6.9 percent over last year. While it’s only a draft at this point, whatever budget the board ultimately approves will face a public vote on Tuesday, May 16.

Board member Neil Seaman said the increase is not frivolous nor extravagant, but just what is necessary “to maintain what we have this year. We need the 6.9 percent increase.” All board members, without exception, echoed the same sentiment.

Jeri Schopp, who has served on the board since 1989, said she wants to offer “a responsible budget so I can hold my head up.” She pointed out that when she began as a board member, aid from the state comprised 57 percent of the budget. That number is now 37 percent. School Superintendent Thomas Ramming reiterated that there is no increase in aid projected to be in Gov. George Pataki’s upcoming budget. The actual numbers should be available by April 1.

Of possible impact is the number of teacher retirements, which also will be finalized April 1. The proposed increase in the budget may be lower, depending on whether more than 10 teachers take their retirements at the end of the current school year.

Aside from the budget concerns, Monday’s meeting was brimming with good news of professional, athletic and academic accomplishments.

Ramming announced the appointment of Dr. Lawrence Zacher as interim superintendent effective June 26. Zacher has held the position of interim superintendent for other school districts, including Lakeshore Central. His appointment serves to fill the gap between Ramming’s retirement July 1 and the filling of the position by the district’s search committee.

Another significant appointment was made Tuesday, when it was announced that Denise Dunbar will take over April 24 as principal of Sidway Elementary School.

Ramming began the meeting by congratulating Section VI diving champion Ian O’Rourke, the Grand Island High School junior whose accomplishments were highlighted in last week’s Dispatch. This is the second year in a row that the Olympic hopeful has won that title. Also recognized was high school student Mike DelZoppo, who secured a spot in the National Technical Honor Society for his strong participation in the Erie-BOCES program.

In addition, Ramming announced that retiring high school Principal Dr. James Dempsey will be honored with the 2006 Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award on April 21 at the Citizen of the Year dinner at the Grand Island Holiday Inn Resort and Conference Center. Dempsey retires at the end of the 2005-06 school year after nine years of service.

The Voice of the People on agenda items included comments from Will Tomkins of Bishop’s Gate. He complimented the board and the administration for their “open, honest, and straightforward” information to residents on streets adjoining the east side of the Ransom Road complex. The district’s sale of a parcel of land on Bishop’s Gate did not make a minimum bid of $50,000. The public offering of the land is currently tabled.

In other news, Ramming announced an anonymous gift to the district from a member of the community in the amount of $1,500 to be used exclusively for funding of field trips for Sidway students in the 2006-07 school year.

The next Board of Education meeting has been changed from a workshop meeting to a regular business meeting to allow for more discussion of the budget. That meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 27, at 7 p.m. in the High School senior cafeteria.