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Tax, staffing announcements top list of surprises at Central
Cheektowaga Central's Board of Education announced some shocking news Tuesday, including an unexpected reduction in the 2007-2008 tax rate and a reorganization of the school's administration.
For the first time in at least 12 years, district taxpayers will not be subject to a tax rate increase, as the board announced that the rate will remain the same as last year: $27.51 per assessed $1,000.
Superintendent Delia G. Bonenberger credited the board of education's "conservative spending," the taxpayers' approval of the district budget and the state Legislature's "healthy" budget for the stable tax rate.
"We've mentioned previously that when the assessments come in there might be a change in the budgeted tax rate," said Bonenberger.
Assistant Superintendent Dennis Kane then explained that a 2.1 percent hike in housing assessments, along with a $420,000 boost in the tax levy, helped allow the district to present the same tax rate as last year.
"Without these kinds of numbers, this wouldn't be possible," said Kane. "(However), we all know how real estate works. The market values can decrease. We can't expect this to happen again next year."
Although the tax rate won't change, there will be other adjustments within the district this year.
During the meeting, Cheryl Buggs was appointed to director of Human Resources after serving as the district's first middle school principal, while Steven Wright- who was the high school principal- will assume the director of pupil services position. Mary Morris was the director of pupil services until she was appointed to the director of learning, which has been vacant since Ann Lupo retired last year.
Brian Bridges and Susan Cain, both former assistant principals, then received three-year probationary appointments to the middle and high school principal's spots.
Bonenberger said an increase in state academic requirements and the federal No Child Left Behind Act, plus the director of learning vacancy, prompted her to make the administrative changes.
She stated that she is both pleased and comfortable with these appointments, adding that she's been intensely working on these changes for the past couple months.
"We needed to fine-tune some areas to make our district better. I have the utmost respect for these people, and I look forward to working with them in their new roles," said Bonenberger. "The transition will be dramatic, but not as dramatic as if we were to employ people who weren't familiar with the district."
In addition to the administrative changes reported during the meeting, two parents offered their own surprise, voicing their concerns about an unwanted adjustment their children will encounter this school year.
Kingston Lane resident Antoinette Vona and Marlene Ponosny, who lives on Nagel Drive, each has sons who have taken a bus to and from school since kindergarten, but now that they are entering sixth grade, they are required to walk to school.
The two women said this is not safe because of heavy traffic on Union Road and unfair considering that there is a bus that picks up other students just blocks away from their homes.
Board Vice President Brian Gould agreed with the women, but added that there might be state laws that prohibit the district from providing transportation to students who live within a certain distance from the school. Thomas DeBoy, the school attorney, said that he will investigate what those distances are before allowing the board to decide if they want to provide transportation to those students.
The next board meeting will be held September 11 at 7 p.m. in the high school board room.
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