BOE elections on the horizon, three seats open

MILLBROOK — Three seats are open for the Millbrook Central School District Board of Education (BOE). All petitions must be in by April 22, at 5 p.m. The new term starts on July 1, 2019 and expires on June 30, 2022. For more information, go to the www.millbrookcsd.org.

A presentation by six of the seven girls who will be the first to graduate from Millbrook High School with an IB (International Baccalaureate) degree presented at the meeting under the guidance of Georgia Herring and Sarah Sullivan. The girls presented the research papers they have completed over their two years in the program.

At the regular meeting of the board on March 19, Richard A. Hooley, district superintendent of Dutchess County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and Sherre Wesley, assistant superintendent for business services, addressed the BOE concerning funds that will be used for the BOCES improvements approved by voters in fall, 2018. 

Major improvements will be made at BOCES, especially at the Career and Technical Institute (CTI). New buildings and renovations will also allow for property rentals to be discontinued after the improvements and buildings are completed. They are now moving into the design part of the project, and security will be a major portion of that. 

BOCES consists of 13 separate school districts, and the vote for money for capital improvements was conducted and passed in all districts, which regularly use the services provided by BOCES. The CTI offers courses in agriculture and animal husbandry, among many other special courses, which students from the various districts can’t take anywhere else. They also provide special education services.

BOCES  elections will be held on Tuesday, April 23; all service requests by schools wanting special BOCES services must be in by Wednesday, May 1. 

Two requests are being made to the Millbrook Educational Foundation (MEF). One for enhancing the bathrooms and hallways at Millbrook Middle School, and one to fund items not covered by the Science Technology Engineering and Math program.

A Taste of Millbrook, the major fundraising project for MEF, will take place on Saturday, June 8. 

Discussion was also held about the $275,000 yearly project  for school improvements, as well as the end of year spending package. No decisions have been made, but an airlock door system and replacement of sinks and cabinets are under consideration for Alden Place Elementary School. The end of year spending will consider pro-active sensors, including those that can monitor moisture and might prevent any mold build up like what the Alden Place and Elm Drive schools suffered last year. A capital project change was approved for the emergency mold remediation services of fall, 2018, in both schools, moving the money from one budget line to another.

The board also approved half-year mentors, Katherine Doyle and Michael Trapani, at $412.50 each. Patrick McGriff was approved as sound technician at $586.50.

The next regular BOE meeting will be on Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. at the Millbrook Middle School library.