Schools

Miller Place Board of Education President Jim Moran to Resign

Moran not present at Wednesday's meeting due to "personal scheduling conflicts," announces intention to resign via email.

The absence of Miller Place Board of Education President Jim Moran at Wednesday night's meeting and budget workshop was evident at the start of the night, and was addressed by Vice President and acting President Angela Guido.

Guido explained his absence by reading a statement sent via email by Moran that read, "It is with regret that I must inform you that due to personal scheduling conflicts I will be unable to complete my term as board trustee." Guido said that there is no effective date of his resignation as of this time.

"He will be here in two weeks and he will still be on the board in two weeks," Guido said. "There is no effective date on the email so I have no idea when his effective date will be. He will address those questions when he is here for the budget adoption on April 13."

Find out what's happening in Miller Place-Rocky Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Superintendent Susan Hodun clarified that he has not officialy resigned yet but has "expressed his intention" to resign.

Talks then moved to the budget where the bottom line reduction of state aid, including construction aid, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget came to $1,163,635, a 6.46 percent decrease for Miller Place. The projected tax rate increase would be set at 7.78 percent.

Find out what's happening in Miller Place-Rocky Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Regardless of our budgetary increase, decrease or otherwise, we are going to provide an education to the students that meets the New York State standards for learning and meets the State Education Department's requirements for graduation, which is 22 required credits," Hodun said.

Hodun also urged the crowd to understand that they are hearing the pleas for givebacks and concessions and are currently "in negotiations."

"I can assure everyone...that the district is in negotations with all employees, even beyond the bargaining units, regarding concessions and givebacks," she said. "Every employee that we’re dealing with is also aware of the importance of their support in this endeavor and they’re all working very closely with the district."

The district is facing 35-37 teacher layoffs as well as the elimination of a majority of clubs at the middle and high school levels as well as the elimination of certain Advanced Placement and Honors programs.

Wednesday's workshop was the final workshop and the budget adoption will be held on Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.


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