Thread by @AishaPowell_

Here at the Suffern Central’s regular board meeting, where there are discussing the proposed budget. @lohud

Kern said that he wanted clarity on the request for proposal for the special education counsel. Dgheim says that in July the majority of people wanted to examine the board’s “stale contracts.” Castaldo brought it to board's attention. @lohud

Donnelly is against reaching into the districts reserve to cover cost. “I cannot support this,” he said. Donnelly said that they should increase taxes. Cairns said that district officials should use unused reserves to cover extra cost, according to a report he found. @lohud

The report urges for districts to dip into their reserves instead of increasing taxes. Kern asked Cairns for the date of the report that he found that information from. Cairns said it was presented in 2013. @lohud

Kern said that the wording in the policy tonight is outdated, and the NYSSBA regulations state that the superintendent gets FOIL appeals and not the Board President. @lohud

Kern spoke with the policy department at NYSSBA, it is directly from the policy person in NYSSBA. Dgheim said that she spoke to a person in person and doesn’t have tangible proof. @lohud

MacKenzie said that he thinks it’s a recommendation. Kern said that is a regulation, and present MacKenzie with the paper stating so. Dgheim said if NYSSBA calls something a "regulation" it is "policy" and not a requirement.

MacKenzie notes that on Kern's paper it states suggestion.
"Don't we want to follow suggestions from NYSSBA," Kern said. NYSSBA is the New York State School Board Association. @lohud

Cairns said that if the superintendent denies it once what is going to stop them from rejecting it on the appeal again. Kerns said that is not the policy and no one has the policy before them. @lohud

According to Dgheim, the attorney asked to make it clear where appeals are going. Donnelly said it makes more sense for an attorney to review appeals. Dgheim says the policy cannot say attorney on it. @lohud

The motion fails, MacKenzie, Dgheim and Cairns vote yes. Kern and Donnelly vote no. And Shapiro abstains.

Donnelly said that he is not comfortable with the compensation that Castaldo would be receiving. The board is voting to increase her salary by $4,000. @lohud