Herricks seeks missing state grant money

The Island Now

In their first post-election meeting last week the Herricks School Board of Education made changes to their clerical positions as well as announcing possible recovery of incoming grant money with the help of State Sen. Jack Martins.

Superintendent of Schools John Bierwirth said he is still working with Martins to recover grant money that was rescinded after last November’s election.

“We are hoping we expect to get the $150,000 in grant money for the work done to the front of the building, and possibly another $100,000,” Bierwirth said.

Bierwirth said Martins did not make it so much a political issue where he blamed former State Sen. Craig Johnson’s fault for the school board not receiving the grant money, rather it was money that was entitled to the district, and he was working to restore it.

Another change to the clerical positions in the district were made, as two part-time typist positions were abolished, allowing for the restoration of one full-time typist position.

The board approved tax anticipation notes totalling $14.4 million, which will take effect on July 1st, and end on June 30, 2012.

The notes will be used for payroll purposes over the summer, according to Assistant Superintendent for Business Helen Costigan.

Bierwirth also thanked Martins for his efforts on helping to get a new clarification on a law that required school districts to provide a bus seat for every eligible student, regardless of how many actually use the bus.

As of now, schools districts are allowed to base their seat numbers on actual ridership levels.

A few weeks ago Martins had a meeting with Charles Szuberla from the New York State Education Department Office of Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education.

According to Bierwirth, Martins told the education department that either they provide a new clarification for the law, or else the state would pass a law to change it.

A special education contract was also approved by board officials with Garden City schools, that clarifies a non-resident tuition price between the schools. This would allow for special needs students from Garden City Schools to attend Herricks, and visa versa, if there wasn’t accommodations available for them in their school district.

Bierwirth explained that if Herricks had a special needs student, but did not have a class that could accommodate them, they would be able to transport them to another school district which could help them. The same goes for the Garden City Schools.

“It doesn’t make sense for us to create a whole new class for one person,” Bierwirth said. “School districts have been doing this for years.”

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