N-W considering adult education program

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, January 14, 2010

The Niagara-Wheatfield School District is considering adding an adult education program this year, something the district hasn’t offered for at least a decade or two.

“We want to provide classes for community members that are social, recreational or academic,” said Superintendent Carl Militello. “This is a good way to utilize our buildings on a full-time basis.”

Militello said the district is trying to get a short, eight-week adult education calendar together for classes that would begin after the winter break in mid-February.

The district has sent out a call for instructors willing to teach classes such as ballroom dancing, calligraphy, painting, crafts, quilting, woodworking or any other subjects of general interest. Those interested in teaching are being asked to send a resume and cover letter by Jan. 29 to bwendt@nwcsd.org or bladuca@nwcsd.org.

In other N-W news:

The N-W Board of Education has already begun work on the 2010-11 school budget. Two department heads – Delbert Ambrosia, director of facilities and operations, and Terry Eisenman, director of transportation – gave budget presentations at the board’s Jan. 6 meeting. 

Ambrosia said his proposed budget is $2,208,224, down about $390 from the current year. The budget is down about $250,000 from what it was in 2008, he said, explaining that he has reduced the fund balance for his department, which is “not the most comfortable thing for a manager.”

“We’re very fortunate to have good facilities,” he said. “We always find a way to make do with what we have.”

One thing the department has done that might save funds is replace a retiring worker with a cabinet-grade carpenter, who previously worked on the district’s recent construction project. He should be able to handle carpentry work in-house that the district contracted out in the past, Ambrosia said.

Utilities account for about half of his budget, and unexpected things do happen, such as the need for more hand sanitizers, paper towels, gloves and garbage bags in the wake of the H1N1 (swine) flu this year.

Eisenman estimates his budget at $1,741,397, up about three percent from the current $1,688,800. Personnel is not included because a collective bargaining agreement has yet to be reached.

The demand for busing has increased with the district’s new summer school and after-school Twilight programs, he said. A new bus run to West Street Elementary will be needed next year, with some buses being overcrowded and experiencing behavioral issues. The district, like many others, also has pre-ordered six new replacement buses for delivery this summer, due to upcoming changes in Environmental Protection Agency regulations that could add $8,000 to the cost of each new bus. In addition, Eisenman’s department needs a new system to exhaust fumes from the bus garage.

In other matters:

The board approved refinancing for $6.7 million in bonds, which business manager Kerin Dumphrey said could save some $384,000 in interest over six years.

The board also approved a field trip request for Edward Town Middle School Odyssey of the Mind teams to travel to Medina High School on March 6.

Board member Lori Pittman was congratulated for being recognized by the New York State School Boards Association and earning its Level 1 Developmental Achievement Award.

After the public meeting, the board went into executive session to discuss contract matters.