School Year Starts With New Appointments

Unveiling of the painting donated to Delaware Academy Central School District by the Class of 2023. The art depicts a winter view of DA painted by former DA student Alex Taylor who is pictured revealing the picture with Board member Seth Haight.

The Delaware Academy Board of Education welcomed student members Brinley Wager and Rocco Schnabel. Students are pictured with board trustees Lucy Kelly, Seth Haight, and Ro Avila.

DELHI - The Delaware Academy Central School District (DA) Board of Education met for the last time on Aug. 19 before the hustle and bustle of school began. Board members made several appointments including two honorary student board members.

Students Brinley Wager and Rocco Schnabel were appointed to serve from Sept. 23 through the end of the 2024-2025 school year. The student board member program was initiated during the 2021-2022 school year under former Superintendent Kelly Zimmerman. The program seeks to provide space and a voice for the student body. Students are required to apply for the position and be interviewed before appointment.

Both students were honored with name plates and a seat at the board table. Student board members are required to attend the meetings on an alternating basis. However, board members assured Wager and Schnabel they both are always welcome at the meeting.

Other staff adjustments include: 

Cheyanne Barrett was hired as an elementary school teacher at a rate of $49,063 annually for a probationary period through Sept. 2028.

Several substitute teachers, aides, bus drivers, and food services were approved for the school year.

Several extracurricular appointments were made including club and class advisors.

Several resignations were accepted including aides Danyell Ambrose, Daniell Harageones, and Kristen Reed, Teacher Macayla Carron, Nurse Jessica Decker, and Bus Driver Randy Stanton.

In addition to these appointments, the board approved the substitute rates of pay effective until Dec. 31 at which point the minimum wage will rise and pay will be re-evaluated. Daily rates include retired certified DA teacher $130, certified teacher $120, non-certified teacher $110, long-term teacher $140, nurse $120, teacher aide $105. Hourly rates include tutor $25, food service $15, bus aide $15, custodial worker $15, and bus driver $23.

In other business:

The class of 2023 donated a piece of artwork to the district. 

The elementary school had 11 new students with five exiting students, middle school had nine new students and eight exits, and high school had five entries and five exits.

Construction and installation of the new turf for the Dave Kelly Field is expected to start in mid-May of 2025 and be completed by mid-August.

The policy committee is reviewing state adjustments to the Title-9 regulations to adjust the school's policy accordingly. The committee is expected to continue discussion regarding out-of-district enrollment at the next monthly meeting.  

Adjustments were made to the District Wide School Safety Plan. Major changes include a state-mandated trauma-informed approach to safety drills. Districts are now permitted to notify parents, staff, and students of scheduled safety drills including lockdowns and shelter-in-place.

Instant Whip Foods was awarded the milk bid for the 2024-2025 school year.

The tax levy was approved with the amount to be raised at $10,275,010.

Transportation requests for one student attending Otsego Christian Academy in Otego and two students attending Bovina Montessori were denied. The district is required by state regulation to provide transportation for in-district students up to 15 miles away. Both requests exceed the mileage limit.

Board Member Kimberly Shephard will work with school guidance counselors on a possible expansion of college course credit offerings at DA.

The first day of school was Thursday, Sept. 5. The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Monday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m.