The superintendent said additional State Aid proposed for 2018/19 school year is approximately $17,000 or as she put it, “pretty much essentially flat.” With a district budget of approximately $52 million, the small increase is expected to have minimal impact. Plus: A pilot for Waterfall Way, bus driver shortage, and the robotics program.
The 2018/19 preliminary Onteora district budget was unveiled, revealing that school officials will have their work cut out for them in trying to keep the budget within the allowable tax cap.
‘Our goal is to have quality assessments that are not 100 questions long, because we’ve seen fabulous examples where I can cover six standards in one question.’
The resolution denounces but does not ban the flag, noting First Amendment rights. However, Superintendent Victoria McLaren said disciplinary action for its display might be taken on an “individual basis.”
The district is trying to deal with Confederate Flag apparel without stepping on free speech, and warm-weather clothing without targeting girls.
The resolution states, “The Onteora trustees recognize the Confederate Flag as a symbol of hatred and condemn it.”
The Onteora Class of 1967 held its 50th class reunion with a three-day weekend in September, and as a result a Blue Spruce tree was planted on the grounds of the Middle/High School on Route 28 in Boiceville.
In one school in the district, 20 percent of the students are from different countries. The proposal is meant to counter “misinformation” and ensure the students and their families understand it’s safe to attend local schools.
Trustees aren’t rushing to change the dressing code just yet.
Several teachers, staff and parents of the district turned out to speak at a recent school board meeting. All requested that the board create a policy that would prohibit wearing or displaying the Confederate image that many see as racist.