Ilion High School - Class of 1970

Herkimer Evening Telegram - November 19, 1969

Boost Cost Of School Lunches In Ilion System

Article 10

Boost Cost Of School Lunches In Ilion System

By Bob Kelder

ILION — Costs of cafeteria meals in the Ilion Central School system will be about 10 cents higher starting Dec. 1 due to rising costs, the Board of Education decided last night.

Meals for adults will go from 50 to €0 cents, an increase of 10 cents. Elementary students and secondary students, who have been paying 30 and 35 cents respectively, will now pay 40 cents.

The board action came after hearing a report by Anthony Bonvino and Miss Shirley Hoeschele, board members who investigated cafeteria coats.

Bonvino said they looked into all aspects of cafeteria costs for the month of October. Among other things, it was found that costs of preparing meals ranged from a low of more than 41 cents at Barringer Road School, to more than 59 cents at East Frankfort School.

Miss Hoeschele added that labor costs figured included head cooks, helpers, and students, but not janitorial help needed to clean up.

Other Business

In other business, the board approved a plan to increase the lunch hour to 45 minutes for grades 7 and 8. and to 48 minutes for grades 9 through 12. The plan was recommended by Leo Sammon Jr., principal, after meeting with the Student Council.

Under the setup, the high school students would be released from school at 3:26 p.m. daily instead of 3:20 p.m.. to allow for the extra lunch time.

The school district will face a soaring tax rate increase of between $17 and $18 next year, unless the state legislature acts according to a prediction by Alan VanWinkle, board president. At present, the tax rate is $48.62 in the Town of German Flatts portion, which is 96 per cent of the district.

Besides rising costs in goods and services, and reduced state and federal aid, the school district loses about $70,000 of assessed valuation each year, and this is expected to hold true for next year, he added.

Write Legislators

Miss Hoeschele suggested that the board, as a unit and as individuals, write to state legislators about the dilemma. The board agreed, and all residents were asked to do the same.

The financial problems will be explained to residents by board members at various meetings of community organizations over the next few months.

The board has been invited to address the Ilion Kiwanis Club in January, and a joint meeting of all PTA's in the school district in April.

Granted was a 1eave of absence for Mrs. Lydia Dibble, junior high English teacher, until next June.

Approved was appointment of Joseph Dayo as sophomore class advisor and Pat Moylan as winter sports advisor. Advisor appointments are expected later for track, baseball, and golf.

Schools Supt. James Dunn reported applications are still being accepted to replace Charles Traphagen as guidance counselor. Traphagen resigned in September.

Additional Lights

The Barringer Road PTA was granted permission to install additional lights at the front of the school and driveway to eliminate dark areas. The PTA recently voted $240 to purchase and install the light poles.

Russell Putnam, board member who helped investigate the light problem, was designated to confer with the PTA to aid in installing the poles.

On recommendation of Bonvino, the health insurance program will be reviewed when it comes up for the annual discussion this winter.

The free towel service for students will be discontinued on Nov. 24 as there are no funds left in the budget for this expense. It was pointed out the towel cleaning bill for October at six cents per towel was about $700.

However, free towels will continue to be set aside for the basketball team.

To Review Policy

The board plans to review the free towel policy before resolving the matter for the next budget.

Before the board adjourned, Dr. James Anderson, board member, recommended more attention to students who show difficulty in reading but are moved ahead each year in higher classes, thereby compounding their problem.

He said that such students should get more "priority." He added that helping them was on of the "primary functions" of education. "They need more things to be done for them, not fewer," he added.

Dunn agreed that such students. termed "underachievers," are a continuing cause for concern and the matter will be discussed with the administrative council early in December.