BOE Discussion Heats Up Over Boilers

Board of Education members sparred over what the school system's expense priorities should be at their meeting on Monday night.

Topping the list was a new boiler for Branchville Elementary School, but some board members argued that prioritizing a district-wide energy study would be more cost effective and energy efficient than focusing on one school.

"We've got to get a plan to address these things more globally," board member Richard Steinhart said.

John Palermo added that the district could begin the study with excess operating budget funds in the current fiscal year instead of waiting to see if enough money makes it through next year's budget approval process to conduct it then.

Superintendent Deborah Low said that Palermo's idea might be solid, but she would prefer to wait until January and evaluate the state of the current budget then.

Russell Katz argued that the Branchville boilers have long topped the district's facilities priority list, and that the system is old and should be replaced.

The meeting—shorter than all others in recent weeks—was the first one for new board member Amy Shinohara, who took over the seat formerly occupied by Katherine McGerald. There will be a runoff election for the remaining seat today, after a vote recount ended in a tie for candidates Irene Burgess and Keith Miller.

Also at the meeting, chairman Austin Drukker was reelected to the role. Richard Steinhart is now vice chairman, and Sandi Rose remains board secretary.