At the outset of the last Herricks School Board meeting, school board president Emilia Sutz read the following statement prepared by the school board attorney Lawrence Tenenbaum.

The statement is as follows:

"Several months ago, this firm was asked to take over the matter of renovation at the Herricks School District Administration Building from previous counsel. Since that time significant progress has been made although much of it has not been visible. We have been negotiating with Surety for the prior contractor for the completion of the project, on terms that would satisfactorily protect the district and its taxpayers. Tentative agreements have been reached on a variety of issues, subject to the execution of a final takeover agreement. Under such an agreement, the Surety would be responsible for completing the project at no cost to the district beyond that set forth in the original contract. It is also anticipated that additional protections will be put in place to indemnify the district from improper work by either the original or replacement contractor. In addition, we are negotiating to set aside funds to make the district whole for claims which are properly chargeable back to the contractors. Moreover, a replacement contractor has been secured and discussions have taken place regarding the timing of the resumption of work on the roof, the elevator and the exterior concrete and paving work. We are working to finalize the takeover agreement so that the work can resume and the project completed as soon as possible."

A resident wanted to know if the members of the administration were going to be moved to the second floor of the Community Center. Dr. Bierwirth said they are investigating a number of different options.

Herricks Superintendent Dr. Jack Bierwirth announced that since construction is underway he thanked everyone in advance for patience. He said that there has been only one glitch so far and that was at the Middle School. He said that apparently when the last construction project was completed at that middle school two or three truckloads of concrete were dumped and buried on the site resulting in two or three feet of concrete that was necessary to go through in order to start the construction job. Dr. Bierwirth said, "Therefore, we are going to be particularly careful so that in 10 to 15 years from now that kind of a "glitch" isn't passed along to the next team."

A parent said she was not happy with the solution of the Middle School route to the school along I.U.Willets Road. She said it isn't that people aren't trying to find a solution. The plan is now to have whoever is walking to cut through the side streets and then go to Deepdale Parkway. She said, "On the corner of Deepdale Parkway and I. U. Willets Road is the location that someone was killed and that one of the Middle School children, who uses this as a crossway, had his legs broken two years ago when he was hit by a car. There are lots of accidents on that corner."

She further commented that it was way out of everyone's way to go three blocks and then walk back again. She said, "There has to be a better way. We have to figure something else out."

President Emilia Sutz said that all of the options have been looked at and the plan in place is the one chosen by the construction management team. Dr. Bierwirth said that a lot of time has been devoted to this plan and the best one so far is the one in place but he said they will look at it again and get back to the resident.

The same resident asked who should be contacted if the construction workers are not doing what they are supposed to do. For instance, not closing the gate after the equipment has been moved inside the gate.

Dr. Bierwirth said they are to contact the principal of the school in question who will contact the proper parties.

Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Dr. Ronald Barnes reported that even though there will be construction ongoing during the summer months, the Summer Recreation Program will still be held in the Herricks district. It will be held at the Middle School and can accommodate at least 400 to 500 students, further, he said, that it also appears there will be no waiting list since the space at that school is so large.

But, he said there will be areas at the school which will be "off limits" and closed to the summer recreation students. Dr. Barnes did caution that the ground has not been broken at the Middle School and hopefully there will be no major problems. Dr. Barnes also said that perhaps the program would be have to be pushed off for one week and the anticipated dates are from July 8 to Aug. 17, but all that information will be outlined when it comes time to register for the program.

Dr. Barnes explained that the lead teacher is a 1/2 time position and they are to assist the elementary principals and all three will be teachers in the school.

Barnes said that the lead teacher deals mainly with three areas. The first with communication, emergency, special projects and the liaison for the JCC after-school program;

The second function of the lead teacher is to deal with students in the lunch room and therefore are in and out of the lunchroom; they are present at dismissal and they deal with conflicts. Dr. Barnes also said they would help with student dismissal and also with any conflicts that sometimes arise between students. He said that sometimes their very presence in the room is all that is necessary to curtail a situation.

The lead teacher is also available to step in when the principal is out of the building; someone who knows the building. Prior to this appointment it was just a teacher in the building that everyone ran to when the principal was out, now there will be a designated person. Plus, they will have skills in problem solving

This will then help the principals and free them up to spend more time with other areas of their expertise as principals.

Dr. Bierwirth said that in February or March another report will be made to let the board and public know how the program is working.

The board approved the Emergency Management Plan, accepted a gift of a digital camera, a printer, ribbon, paper from the Olympus Company.

The board then waited for the auditor to arrive, but because the meeting ended earlier than expected he did not get there on time to speak to the board, however, it was reported that the auditors have recommended that the district conduct an internal audit.

A resident said he felt that money should be spent on programs for children and not on an internal auditor. The board had no comment.

The next board meeting will be held on Dec. 6 at the Middle School at 6:30 p.m. for the start of the regular meeting followed at 7:30 p.m. by an open discussion by the Middle School students.