Niagara-Wheatfield School board freezes funds

by Janet Schultz

Following an executive session on Nov. 28, Niagara-Wheatfield School Board President Steven Sabo made a motion under advisement from the Audit Committee, seconded by Rich Halleen, to freeze all non-contractual spending as of that evening's meeting.

The motion carried unanimously. Absent from the meeting was Richard Sirianni.

During the comments portion of the meeting, board member Christopher Peters explained that the internal auditors found that there may be as much as a $2 million increase in the teachers and employee retirement systems.

"As a board, we are trying to get ahead and freeze spending now so that we can hopefully save some money for next year," said Peters.

In other business, the board approved several substitute teaching positions, but held off on approving coaching positions until the next meeting.

The board accepted a $27,020 donation from the Colonial Village Home School Association to be used for playground equipment. They also accepted donations for the Odyssey of the Mind Program from the Niagara County Sheriff's Office and Heather and Mark Gifford.

The next regular meeting of the board was held Dec. 5 after the Tribune went to press.