Ilion High School - Class of 1974

Source pdf file is here Herkimer NY Evening Telegram 1974 00514.pdf on fultonhistory.com

Board Moves To Sell Closed School Building
By LUCI SQUIERS

ILION - The Ilion Central School Board of Education reported last night applications have been sent to various agencies to have the assessment lowered on the East Frankfort School property to be more in line with the present market value, citing a need to correct the assessed six acres to 4.5 acres.

School Attorney Jack Manley noted a letter has been sent to the New York Conservation Council. He said every angle is being looked in to in order to make the sale price of the property more attractive. He also noted applications for gas heating for the building have been made.

In other business Manley said he would need some "policy making guidelines" from the board to establish parking regulations for all school property.

Following a lengthy discussion that included a suggestion for restricting parking to school personnel only, Superintendent James Dunn agreed to meet with the various school principles to come up with some possible suggestions. He stressed the need for a firm, yet fair policy.

Dunn explained the excess number of cars parked in school lots over night during the winter months could and sometimes did interfere with snow removal.

Jon Fifield, board member and also a school representative to the Citizen's Committee for the Extension of Route 5-S, presented a progress report for the board's review on what he called the "preferred plan," locally.

Fifield told the board the plan presented was just one of several being studied by the committee. At this time he said extensive studies and forecasts of the area in regard to the extension are being made.

Substitutes Discussed

Another lengthy discussion led for the most part by board member Herman Stubley concerned a resolution to hire retired teachers as substitutes.

Stubley, the only board member opposing the resolution cited the need to hire young people as first choice substitutes rather than retired persons.

"There's an abundance of qualified young teachers in is area," Stubley said, adding, "this could be their one chance to get their foot in the door and get some experience that could lead to a full-time job."

Dunn explained substitute lists are updated as often as possible. He also noted the selection of a substitute is left to the decision of the school principal and admitted that choice is often a retired person of the school system. Dunn explained such a person is familiar with the rules and policies of the school.

Presented for the board's review was a list of current legislation regarding education now before the State Legislature. The discussion led by Shirley Hoeschele, also concerned bills recently passed in the Legislature.

Dunn brought to the board's attention an upcoming area school board's meeting, March 6, at the Fort Plain High School. The meeting, which is the annual New York State Spring Conference, will be attended by Dunn, Fifield, Warren Lennox and Robert Thompson.

Approved was a transfer of funds from instructional salaries to the operation and maintenance of plant and for instructional supplies.