Oneonta board OKs cuts, interim superintendent

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June 14, 2012

Oneonta board OKs cuts, interim superintendent

By Mark Boshnack Staff Writer The Daily Star Thu Jun 14, 2012, 03:30 AM EDT

The Oneonta City School Board of Education welcomed a new interim superintendent and said goodbye to staff at Wednesday's regularly scheduled meeting at Center Street Elementary School.

Former Edmeston Central School Superintendent David Rowley was hired on an interim basis to fill the post when Michael Shea retires Sept. 1.

With the voters' decision to close Center Street Elementary School in May voting and send its students to other buildings, the board approved elimination of 7.2 full-time equivalency positions, based on seniority. This includes its principal, Coleen Lewis. Board members voiced regret for all those positions eliminated in an effort to deal with a deficit of more than $1 million because of cuts to state aid.

Several on the board and in attendance talked about the loss of Lewis specifically. This included Director of Special Education Tim Gracy, who had been principal at Greater Plains -- where Lewis worked as a media specialist before becoming an administrator. She is one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic people at the district, he said.

In an awkward position, she has done an "exceptional" job as a leader, he said.

Her performance has been "the epitome of class," board member Marilyn Rosas said. "You've done a great job."

Lewis said her 14 years with the district have been "a privilege and an honor," which have made her the teacher and administrator she is today.

In other business, school Athletic Director Joe Hughes brought the trophy that the varsity baseball team he leads recently won as state Class B champions.

The team was not able to attend because members were playing a Legion baseball game. He thanked the board and the community for the support they have given the team and all the other extracurricular activities at the school.

The "hard work and dedication" the athletes demonstrated in winning the title should serve as a lesson to other students in the district, he said.

In recognition of its achievement, the team has been invited to be a part of this Saturday's National Baseball Hall of Fame Classic in Cooperstown. It will also be honored June 22 by Mayor Dick Miller at an Oneonta Outlaws baseball game.