LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Sparse attendance at a relatively brief December 18 Sullivan West Central School District Board of Education meeting may have undercut somewhat the serious student welfare and social conscience issues presented.

Identifying himself as the parent of two Sullivan West students, a girl in fourth grade and a boy in sixth grade, Johnathan Murphy described during the public comment segment of the meeting two apparent failings of the elementary school: inability to keep track of student whereabouts and bullying based on skin color and race. Murphy said that there were several instances during the current semester in which the school misplaced his children during transport home, sometimes because his instructions to the school were ignored and, at least once, because the school’s stated intentions were not followed. Murphy also recounted one instance of his nine-year-old daughter being so distraught by racial bullying that she left the school to escape it, and was later found walking in Jeffersonville, school officials seemingly unaware of her absence.

Although the board adhered to its previously stated policy of not responding to comments made during the public comment segment, individual board members acknowledged Murphy’s concerns in their closing statements, promising prompt investigation of his claims.

A slideshow presentation by assistant superintendent for administrative services Lorraine Poston outlining provisions of the Alternative Veteran Tax Exemption (AVTE) law and pursuant fiscal consequences, demonstrated how the law, if adopted, will impact not only veterans disabled in combat, but also all district taxpayers. Because the district’s tax levy is unchanged, affording exemptions to combat veterans will result in redistribution of charges to other taxpayers and may affect STAR program exemptions as well. Board member Lucas Arzilli said, “Everyone wants to support our veterans, but the board has an equal responsibility to all district taxpayers.”

At last month’s board meeting, a group of local veterans urged the board to adopt AVTE as a way to honor their sacrifices and help disabled veterans with limited incomes. Although the difference to individual taxpayers will vary by the number of disabled veterans residing in each town, Poston’s summary estimate calculations make the average taxpayer’s increase of around $15 per parcel a year seem almost negligible. But, as Arzilli pointed out, “In this economically depressed area, that could be the cost of one family meal.” The presentation can be viewed in its entirety at tinyurl.com/n7lrcyb.

The board must adopt AVTE before March 1, 2015, for veterans to file for 2015-16 exemptions. Already adopted by Tri-Valley and Eldred school districts, AVTE was narrowly defeated last year in Fallsburg, but is scheduled for revote this year. A public hearing to review the adoption proposal will be held January 15 at 6:45 p.m., immediately preceding the monthly board meeting.

The board voted to award the elementary school weather station equipment bid to sole bidder, Earth Networks, Inc. Weatherbug will permit hands-on student experience in atmospheric science, as the weather station produces accurate real-time Jeffersonville weather forecasts. And, now, thanks to Internet technology, both girls and boys high school basketball games will be streamed live and free of charge at www.empirestatesports.com/.

The board voted, reluctantly, to accept the retirement resignation of high school principal Margaret Tenbus, effective July 1, 2015. Recognizing her 30 years of exemplary district service, board members noted that she is held in high esteem by administration, faculty, staff and students alike, and added their own praise for her many career accomplishments.

For meeting minutes, visit www.swcsd.org.