VIDEO: Malverne S.D. Holds Third Budget Review Session

The Malverne school board continued its line-by-line review of the proposed 2012-2013 budget Tuesday night.

Compared to , the April 3 meeting was brief. 

Board Vice President Karen Aker and Trustees Gina Genti and Peg O'Connor were present, but Board President Danielle Hopkins and Trustee Patrick Coonan were absent, as was Business Administrator Thomas McDaid, who the board explained was ill.

Aker asked several questions regarding the amount of money allocated for equipment including air conditioners and replacement printers. She also asked about fuel costs including the district's bill from the Long Island Power Authority, which went up 30 percent. Genti pointed out that she has asked the district to look into alternative ways to purchase its natural gas, possibly going outside the consortium it belongs to. 

The charges budgeted for Nassau BOCES to provide services for the district became a major focus at the meeting, particularly those used to pay for roughly 25 students to receive vocational training.

One teacher suggested that the district consider reallocating this money so it would better serve the needs of the majority of students, rather than just a couple of dozen. Similar to how students pay a fee to take Advanced Placement courses, she said those wishing to take the BOCES vocational training could pay a portion of the costs.

The board said it would look into this, but Superintendent James Hunderfund said charging the students for BOCES courses might not be something the district could legally do.

Former board member and district resident Phyllis Wright asked the board to look into whether some students are receiving Twilight School instruction at the Lakeview Public Library rather than at one of the district's facilities, as some parents have expressed to her.

Another parent from Lynbrook whose child attends Howard T. Herber Middle School questioned why the district has yet to install air conditioners in the schools.

Spiro Colaitis, assistant superintendent for District Operations, said it can't afford to install AC units in all its classrooms, adding that in addition to the cost of the equipment, operating them would drive up the district's energy costs.

Aker added,"Air conditioning is a luxury, not a neccessity; Education is. I would rather spend money on staff to educate the children than air conditioning."

The board also gave residents notice that they will be sending out information in the next edition of The Pride newsletter about its summer recreation program. Although the program is slated to be cut from the budget this year, the district is considering offering it so long as it will be self-sustaining.

The cost would depend on how many kids register. For instance, if 140 students sign up, the cost for each would be $791, $923 if only 120 register. "If less than 100 students apply they will not have the program," Aker said. 

You can watch the full budget review session by clicking on the video above. Tell us what you think of the issues discussed in the space below.