Budget, Donation Discussed During Lakeland School District Board of Education Meeting

During the school board meeting, Elizabeth Kogler, president of the Lakeland Central School District's Board of Education, wasted no time starting a discussion of the most critical issues facing the district: money usage and the faltering budget.

Kogler, adjusting quickly to her new position, is already expecting the 2010-11 expenses to grow more than estimated in the spring, due to the state's relentless economic downturn.

Board member Steve P. Carey emphasized much-needed budget cuts and a thrifty approach to expenses. 
 
Innovative technology and increased usage of school e-mail have played into the heavy use of expenses, as well.

"We need to cut spending," said Carey. "We can't afford it. We will still be able to participate in everything, but we need to set an example." 

Assistant Superintendent for Business Raymond Morningstar Jr. has already stated that expenses should be used for workaday resources such as cleaning supplies, paper products, water, and the bus garage. 

Hands down, the most discussed topic of the meeting was the district's playing fields and how to utilize a recent donation earmarked for their development. 

Vice President Carol Ann Dobson announced  to the board that the Westchester/Putnam Baseball Association made a hefty donation of $125,000 to build an artificial infield at Lakeland High School. 

 The Westchester/Putnam Baseball Association is a non-profit organization, which therefore enables the school district to use the money.

The Board discussed various ways in which the money could be put to better the rugged, worn-down field.

New Superintendent George E.  Stone noted the sizable donation is still not enough to cover the immense cost of a brand new, artificial field.  

Building a new field at the Shrub Oak-based high school, according to the board's calculations, would cost significantly more than $125,000.

The overall price the school would have to pay would be "more like $250,000," according to Stone. 
 
Because the grand aspiration to build a brand new field isn't fiscally possible, they agreed to put the money towards field maintenance instead.

The board discussed the idea of using the money to install a press box and similar amenities for the field.
 
Steve Rosen, a longtime school board member involved with interscholastic athletics, believes the field maintenance is a necessity.

He is sold on the idea of boasting a field that would enable Lakeland and Walter Panas to compete in championship games and host their very own tournaments.

"This way the teams can have their championship games here twice a year, once in August and once in October, instead of having to play them in Mahopac," said Rosen.

"The fields need a lot of work. The fields are run down from so much use. Both the one from Panas and from Lakeland need significant work so we'll see what we can do with the money."

The members were collectively grateful for the donation.

"I'd like someone to give me $125,000," Dobson joked, before noting the importance of playing fields and other facilities that allow district students to be active.

At the conclusion of the discussion, several members heaped praise on their new superintendent. Stone brings a wealth of experience from a 14-year career at the Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware.

"We were getting him caught up on everything, so he's up to snuff on everything," explained Rosen. "It's a big district, but he's very experienced. He'll be a fine addition."

The trustees came to the conclusion that obsolete textbooks, those which are outdated but still in half-decent shape, should be donated to charity and those in need.