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TIMES - PAGE 12 - DECEMBER 24,1996 Open Forum Addresses Disciplinary -- Measures At Marion High School by Donna Johnson The Marion Central School Board of Education met on Tuesday, December 17 at 7:30 p. m. All board members were present. Continuing a tradition started - this school year of officially recognized achievements of member of the student body, the Board recognized this year's members of the National Honor Society. handshakes, congratulations and Board of Educ-ation pins were presented to each student. - This month's program report was devoted to presentation by the Elementary Building Committee (EBC) and the High School Building Committee (HSBC). Judy McKane, chairperson for the EBC, with the help of members of the EBC, briefly outlined four action plans cur- rently in place in the Elementary School. The plans address discipline, language arts, staff development and student study skills. Ms. McKane stated that the pro- grams are developing throughout the school year and that positive results have already been realized. Chairperson of the HSBC, Frank Nau, reported that a main focus of their committee is to improve C- communications within the school walls and throughout the community. He also stated that a goal of the HSBC is to work on policies which will raise expectations, in line with new academic policies that school systems will be required to comply with in the near future. A report was given to the Board per- taining to the Comprehensive Assess- ment Report (CAR). The report compares the Marion School District to statistics from Wayne County and New York State. It uses enrollment and attendance data, average class size, dropout rates and test scores to rate the performance of the school system. Overall, Marion placed about average, with some areas exceeding the State's expectations, and others fall- ing slightly short. Identifying areas which did not meet expectations is a valuable tool which aids in curriculum develop- ment. As a result of the replacement of light fixtures in both school buildings, because of the Performance Contract improve- ments, the Board and Administration agreed to make the old fixtures available to the community. The exact details were not decided upon at this time. The Administration will get this information to the public when ready. Superintendent Conning reported on a 1- new technology available through BOC- ES. LAKENET is a computer service which when in place, will have the capac- ity to connect to the High School build- ing and to connect the Marion District to others within the service area. It will also give district enrolled in this plan access to the INTERNET. At the present time, BOCES is looking for district which may be interested. If they meet their minimum requirement of 35 districts, they could connect as soon as July of 1997. This service could cost each district up to $30,000 per three year period. Assistant Superintendent Boyes stated that in the very near future, districts will be expected 4a'- to interact with the State Education Department through some \on-line\ capacity. Action items include the following: Approving the Policy on use of Facilities. In short this policy outlines regulation and proper protocol for use of school facilities by groups outside the school system. This and all school policy can be reviewed at the Superintendent's office in the High School building. To authorize the Marion District to join the Rural Schools Association at as cost of $400 per year. Superintendent Conning has been involved with this organization in the past and recommended * - it very highly to the board. V To make the following appoint- ments: Stacy Cook as Basketball Cheer- leading Coach, Karen Ocque as ,Wrestling Scorekeeper, Gail Bnisso as Permanent BUS Monitor, Brent Cooley as Hearing Officer for the Superintendent's Suspen- sion Hearing. A lengthy Open Forum followed the business portion of the meeting. First to speak was Marion resident Tom Verstra- ete regarding the additionally scheduled Superintendent's Conference Day on March 27, 1997. He stated that it was his and others' feelings that students would be in school as much as possible, and that staff development should be done at other times which will not result in addi- tional time off for students. Superintend- ent Conning explained that he must use the time available to him as efficiently as possible. he stated that the teaching staff came to a staff development day last sum- mer voluntarily, and that the teachers have contracts governing their time off which must be honored. he also remarked that the shortened class time on Wednes- day is used to its fullest potential and that there have been man): positive results. Mr. Verstraete also expressed concern about the use, of the INTERNET for instructional use and stated that he was worried that it might take time away from the teaching of basic educational con- cepts. Superintendent Conning explained that the INTERNET. ik sued as a took, not a replacement for teaching fundamen- tals. A group consisting of parents If High School students involve din an in-school fight the week of December 9th were present to address the Board. Their con- cerns included safety issue,s disciplinary measure, fairness in administering these measures and suspension policies. All parents agreed that fighting cannot be tol- erated within the school environment. Some appeared to be frustrated by lack of action from the High Schoql administra- tion. Several parents began to discuss specific,^ persona, detai1,a and Superin- tendent Conning interjected that a School Board meting was not the forum for such discussion. he stated that parents need to go through the proper channel to have problems addressed and hopefully solved to their satisfaction. he invited any and all parents with problems with school policy to call him personally at 926-2300. Board president Jeff Kittle explained that the Board has no control over school decision except to address policy change, but that he was glad the group came to a Board meeting to air their grievances. In response to suggestions by the parents that -more in-school monitoring needs to be done, Board member David Loucks stated that what is needed is more com- munity involvement. he stated that a \grass roots\ approach, through volunteer committees and long-term commitment will solve problems, not one-meeting, quick-fix approaches. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 6, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. Merry Christmass! Palmyra Village Board Explains - ~arina Financing byElaineHartmge~ First on the agenda for the Palmyra Village Board meeting on Monday, December 16 was an announcement of a special meeting to be held Saturday at -8 a.m. to discuss water contacts and possi- bly award the bid for a new computer sys- tem for the village hall. The board heard proposals from three fms, for the new computer system: John Bruening from TCS, Mark Tomaselli of Creative Business Solu- tion, Inc., and a representative from Childs Consulting Services. A recommendation was made to acquire Viage charge cards for depart- ment heads and other village employees for use when attending seminars, schools, making purchases, etc. the village is con- sidering a total of 18 cards with a $2,500 credit limit on ,each with no annual fee. Assistant CEO Dan Wooden said that when he was on the board, the village had a credit card for the same uses and it was found by the Village Attorney that it is illegal for a municipality to use credit cards as it circumvents the voucher sys- tem used by the village for the paying of bills. The board decided to get a puling from the Village Attorney before making a decision. In other action, the board approved the purchase of four bulletproof vests for the police department at a cost of $2,633. Accordiig to Chief Dave Dalton, the village will be reimbursed $884 fiom the state for the vests. The Palmyra Community Center announced it would offer wagon rides on December 18 for people to view Christ- mas lights around the village. The board approved the Palmyra Town Board's appointment of Robert Grier as the new full-time CEO to serve the village and town. Assistant CEO Wooden went over the SEQR form for the Gerber Homes propo- sal for three new buildings on Fayette Street. The board appioved the answers to the questions on the form prepared by Dan, which will be sent to the County Pleng Board. Steve Cleason explained the status of the Marina Project to the board. The project totals $400,000, ind so far a grant of $100,000 has been pledged by the state, another $100,000 &int has been applied for, and there 'are HUD grants available that are being considered. The value of any services provided by the highway department would -also count toward the total value of the project. Steve and the board wanted to clear up a couple of misconceptions about the pro- ject. some taxpayers are afhid that the additional $200,000 will be raised by taxes and that is not the case. There are also not two separate marina Projects. The concept of the marina is part of the master plan, but the project and funding for the project are separate fiom the mas- ter plan. There are no plans by the village to raise $200,000 through taxes. Plans for financing the marina include the grants, inkind services by the highway, and the possibility for HUD grants fio the project or for refurbishing Canal Street. The next regular meeting of the Palm- yra -1lage Board is scheduled for Mon- day, January 6, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. Ontario Board Discusses Bear Creek Permits byNmq&wa?fh Non-residents of Ontario with a current permit for Bear Creek Harbor may use the harbor on weekends, as well as weekdays through the end of December, voted the Ontario Town Board at its December 9th meeting. Any non-resident without a per- mit who wishes to use the harbor may pay $10 for use until the end of 1996. The Board made these decisions while discussing permit fees for Bear Creek Har- bor for 1997. Councilwoman Jinny Loom is suggested not requiring sepa- rate pennits for winter and summer but \finding a way to simplify the process.\ Nonresidents using the harbor this month (or any time this year) need to return for-a new permit after January 1, when a new fee schedule will be in place. Library director Mary ~chiff&li noted with delight that new carpet will soon be installed in the Ontario library. 'Due to the renovation work, the library will be closed December 16-21. Mrs. Is Your Business Lost 1n.A Line Of Competition? I L r C BOUTIQUE BOUTIQUE BOUTIQUE In an extremely competitive market, your business isn't one-of-a-kind. In the GETTING TO KNOW YOU program, it is. Our unique new homeowner welcomjng service will help you stand out from the crowd, reach a select new market and make a lasting impression! f WELCOMING NEWCOMERS WTIONWIDE Schifferli praised the work of the staff preparing for the installation, especially the work of Ben Hosier who has been instrumental in organizing the necessary movement of books. Two formal appointments were made in the Department of Recreation and Parks, both contingent on the successful letion of a six-month probationary pen \5 . Susan S. Buckley was named Nutrition Site Manager and W Warn Riddell was named Recreation Director. Mr. Riddell will begin his work January 1, 1997. Interim Recreation and Parks Director Lonna Jesse noted that Ms. Buckley began December 9th and already indicated good ideas. The Board commended Rox- anne Kovach for her work as Interim Director at the Nutrition Site. It was noted that work on the Casey Park parking lot has been completed, due to the efforts of Bill Slocum, High- way Superintendent. Supervisor Roy Herrmann noted Slocum's quick response to calls concerning debris on Main Street and a hornet's nest, adding that \Main Street looks better than it has in years.\ In other business and reports: Two bids fiom Siewert Equipment Company were accepted, one for a new pump and controls at the Water Booster Pump Station and a bid for the replace- ment of an original equipment submers- ible pump at the Roder Parkway Pump Station. Councilman Richard Clark was pleased to note, in the report of Dog Con- trol Officer Patrick DellaFave, that there have been no confirmed cases of rabies in Ontario yet this year. Councilwoman Jinny Loomis reported the offer of James Feeney to damre firs' services to transplant a new tree (once a tree is designated) at the Town Hall in memory of past Town Attorney Jay Walsh. The Board adopted 1997 payroll sched- ules recommended by the Accounting Supervisor but tabled the Paid Holiday Schedule.
