Record PreK Enrollment Preliminary Budget Approved

DELHI - Delaware Academy Central School District received 32 applications for the PreK program, a record increase, Superintendent Kelly Zimmerman.

Each year the applications are placed in a drawing, and those who do not win one of the 18 open spots are placed on a waitlist. In 2022 there were two students on the waitlist, which grew to ten in 2023 and five in 2024. This year there will be 14 children on the PreK waitlist.

Zimmerman opened a conversation with the Board of Education regarding potentially starting a second classroom which could cost around $150,000 annually.

The district receives federal funding to operate one PreK class. The board could apply for funding for a second class, though this year's application deadline has passed.

Zimmerman said board members should consider the feasibility of expanding PreK and the long-term implications. She said if a second class was developed, it would be wise that the district had plans to sustain the program.

Board Member Sean Leddy said the possible expansion would be a good conversation to explore and would be money well spent.

The board will continue the conversation over the next few months.

In addition to a large PreK demand, Zimmerman said the district received a letter from a neighboring district community member hoping to enroll their child at Delaware Academy. According to Zimmerman, there have been a few similar requests recently.

The district currently has a "no-tuition" policy that prohibits individuals outside of the district boundary from attending. Zimmerman suggested exploring permitting out-of-district students with tuition. 

Board Member Kimberly Shephard said while the option should be explored, she worries that with rising mental health and special needs issues the district can not handle more students.

Zimmerman validated Shephard's comment but suggested researching those issues to see if they warrant concern. She added that if the board developed a policy, it could specify the number of students permitted among other stipulations.

Board members agreed a further discussion on the topic warrants investigation and that the community, students, and staff should all be included in such conversation.

Board Member Ro Avila also asked for the board to consider a no-cell-phone in-school policy as a way to combat mental health issues Shephard mentioned.

Zimmerman will talk with school principals and research valid articles and studies on the matter.

Budget

In another discussion, board members proposed the 2024-2025 budget of $22,511,496. The budget is a 4.47% increase or $962,000 from the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The district remains at the state-mandated 2% tax cap increase. 

Community members have an opportunity to vote on the budget on Monday, May 21 from noon until 8 p.m. in the middle school building on the first floor between the gym and agricultural classroom. A budget hearing is scheduled Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Personnel Carey Shultz reported there are no proposed budget cuts for the 2024-2025 school year. He also announced that Governor Kathy Hochul will not make budget cuts to the Foundation Aid Hold Harmless provision as previously proposed. The Save Harmless provision protects districts with declining enrollment from seeing a reduction in Foundation Aid.

The board also approved the BOCES budget of $3,064,982. Also approved was the five-year bus lease to appear on the May ballot for nine 66-passenger buses at $1,535,007.

Prior to the budget hearing on May 13 the Speech and Debate Club will host a meet the candidates for the upcoming election. Board members Kimberly Shephard and Tammy Neumann are running unopposed for reelection for a three-year term. The Board of Election vote will appear on the same ballot as the budget.

Other resolutions

The Ukulele Club was permitted to attend Uke Fest at the Ashokan Center over Memorial Day weekend.

Senior Prom was relocated to the Carriage House in Oneonta. The prom will take place on Saturday, June 1 with a tango theme.

The Science Club was awarded a grant from the O'Connor Foundation to establish a composting program. The club will purchase three composting tumblers and six boxes of gloves. Club members plan to provide education and promotion of the program for staff and students.

The FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) is hosting a gently used or new shoe drive to be donated overseas. The goal is to collect 2,500 shoes by May 1. The group has currently collected roughly 200 pairs.

Varsity Club will go to the Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manor, PA from May 27 until May 28.

Future Farmers of America (FFA) will attend the NYS FFA Convention in Buffalo from May 1 until May 4.

The next regular board of education meeting is scheduled Monday, May 20 at 5 p.m.