Seaford school fund balance goes up

The Seaford School district has increased its fund balance from 2.6 percent to 4 percent, from $1.58 million to $2.5 million. Alexandria Battaglia, an external auditor from R.S. Abrams & Company, told Seaford Board of Education members at the Oct. 2 school board meeting that while the unassigned fund balance was now at the legal limit and other school reserves have increased, additional money is needed in designated reserve funds in order to cover the school district’s $79.4 million liability.

While there is no course of action yet in place, Battaglia suggested that the district put together a five-year plan to help fund the reserves. Superintendent Brian Conboy said, “it is virtually impossible to [fully] fund these reserves with a tax cap in place.”

But school board member Brian Fagan said, “our position has improved, our Moody’s rating is up and we need appropriate reserves.”

To help manage money within the district, the school board also voted unanimously to hire Cristina Spinelli as treasurer.

In other news, the school board accepted the second reading of its Revised Policy 1530 on Smoking and other Tobacco Use on School Premises that includes prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes on school grounds.

The Seaford School District’s Special Education two-year plan was reviewed but tabled because the board wants to include the special education budget in the plan as well as clarify some language.

Resident comments

The Go Math Parent University program, designed to help parents and other caregivers assist their children in learning and understanding the math curriculum, came under fire by Joan Valone. “The teachers are having a difficult time and now we have to go to classes,” said Valone. “If it doesn’t work, don’t use it. The program is terrible. Why can’t you teach math instead of estimation. What’s wrong with the old way or rote multiplication (memorization) and learning division?”

John Striffolino, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and personnel, replied, “We want people to feel comfortable with the new material and thought it would be a nice service for parents so they might be better able to help their children.”

Conboy added that “the Common Core curriculum is more difficult and we want to provide more strategies for parents.”

Lisa Lent asked why there is no ninth grade textbook for math.

School board member Jeanmarie Wink responded that no textbook had been developed for this curriculum as well as for geometry, and that the district was using modules found at EngageNY.com.

In closing, Seaford High School student Kelly Chamberlin reminded everyone that this week is Spirit Week and encouraged residents to come out for the school’s Oct. 28 blood drive.

Seaford School Board’s next business meeting is scheduled for Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Harbor School.