“I work in Manhattan and cannot make it back to Cold Spring in time to vote”

If this describes you, then you might be eligible to vote with an absentee ballot. See the school website for complete information about how to register to vote and how to obtain absentee ballots, or call the district office at 265-9254 extension 111 for more information. And please remember to vote for the Energy Performance Contract on October 26. Polls are open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.

October 26—Vote on Energy Performance Contract

Haldane’s aging boilers, for some years, have been a major topic of discussion at Board of Education meetings. Facilities Director Wayne Robinson regularly reports on the status of the boilers and their state of repair. There is little doubt that the boilers, through careful and meticulous maintenance, have managed to survive longer than would be expected. Heating options, whether steam, hot water or geothermal, have been explored by a heating subcommittee, and a feasibility study was done to try to evaluate the best choice for replacing the heating system.

ConEd Solutions has presented an option that they promise will not burden Haldane taxpayers. An Energy Performance Contract is a design for energy use throughout the school that aims to reduce energy consumption wherever feasible. A big savings in Haldane’s energy consumption will take place with the replacement of the old boilers with new, more efficient units. ConEd Solutions’ Energy Performance Contract would replace the boilers and make many other changes and upgrades to Haldane buildings that will save at least 40% on energy costs. The savings these reductions create are what would be used to pay for the upgrades, and ConEd solutions guarantees the savings. It is worth repeating that the Energy Performance contract will not cost the taxpayer, and the district will benefit from many upgrades in addition to the boilers that will contribute to efficiency, safety and comfort in the buildings.

The Board of Education and Superintendent Mark Villanti are aware that Energy Performance Contracts may provoke many questions in the minds of taxpayers. At the September 21 meeting, Board President Dave Merandy, Vice President Joe Curto and Superintendent Villanti offered to answer any questions people might have about the Energy Performance Contract. Board members will attend the PTA meeting on Monday, September 27 to help explain the contract and answer questions. Also see http://www.haldaneschool.org/site_res_view_template.aspx?id=8d2619f0-a250-4a2f-8cb4-2593c3e62821 on the school website for links and information about the Energy Performance Contract.

Haldane’s School Board has agreed to hold a vote on October 26 from 7am to 9 pm for the community to approve the Energy Performance Contract. Though not required, voter approval qualifies the district for more state aid. Questions may be directed to Dr. Villanti at mvillanti@haldane.lhric.org, or call the district office at 265-9254, extension 115.

And please mark your calendar for the October 26 vote for the Energy Performance Contract!

PTA, Boosters and HSF Special Recognition

Topics at the workshop tonight:
The Board of Education Workshop will begin tonight promptly at 7:00 pm and offer special recognition for three parent and community-led school support organizations in the Haldane community: the PTA, Boosters and Haldane School Foundation. 
Director of Special Services Jen Wilson will explain Grades 3 through 8 state testing and cut scores. 
Mark your calendars for October 26, 2010 for the special vote on an Energy Performance Contract.
Draft agenda here.

Hitting the Ground Running for 2010–11

The first Board of Education meeting of the academic school year will take place on September 7, 2010 in the Mabel Merritt Building Fireplace Room at about 7:00 pm. The start time is not definite because the Board will convene in Executive Session to discuss legal matters, and when they have finished, the public portion of the meeting will commence.
Of interest to all in the Haldane community would be the public forum on the Energy Performance Contract. According to a presentation made at the August 10 meeting, ConEd Solutions guarantees an Annual cost reduction of $135,931. Upgrades would take the form of lighting upgrades, new boilers, and many other changes to create more energy efficiency in the school facilities. See the ConEd Solutions presentation here for more information.
Also, see draft agenda for the 9/7/10 meeting.