Penn Yan middle school will not close this year

    PENN YAN—The Penn Yan Central School District board of education said there would be no decision made on closing the middle school for at least two years, during the Wednesday, July 11, school board meeting.
    Superintendent David Hamilton said discussion about possibly closing the middle school building for financial savings started last spring. A committee was created to focus on the education aspects of a closure and King + King Architects did a feasibility survey about available space at the elementary and academy buildings. That report was presented at the June meeting and the firm said enrollment numbers would prevent the middle school from closing until at least 2014-15. Staff spoke out against the possible closing at this and last month’s meeting.
    “Financial savings is an obvious motivator, but there is more to think about than just whether or not the logistics of time and space can seemingly be figured out,” said Tina Webber, co-president of the teacher’s association.
    “I don’t think now is the time to make a decision,” said board member Loni Terpolilli.
    “It’s not next year, it’s not 2013-14,” said Hamilton.
    Board member Kathy Guenther said the district should look at the student population again in five years or so. She added residents have called her and said they don’t want the middle school to close.
    “I was on the committee. That was our recommendation,” said Guenther.
    In other business:
    • The board approved sending a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office asking him to veto a special education mandate passed by the state assembly and senate. The school board said the district would have to reimburse tuition payments to a parent who enrolled their child elsewhere, even if the district did not approve the placement. The letter to Cuomo said the mandate benefits wealthy families who can pay for private tuition and wait the 30 days for reimbursement from the district. Guenther also reported she and officials from other districts met with the New York State Education Department commissioner about mandates, including one to prevent bullying. The mandate requires the district to hire someone to handle data. Guenther said Penn Yan has already cut 18 positions due to lack of funds and now the state is making them hire a new position.
    • The board accepted a $400 donation from Pioneer Hi-Bred International for the 2012 Penn Yan Future Farmer’s of America educational exhibit.
    • The board approved an emergency repair of the middle school sprinkler system for $5,766.22.