Q&A on South Huntington Projects

Vendors interested in taking on two projects in the South Huntington school district pitched their services at a South Huntington school board meeting on Aug.16.

The two topics involve possible changes in how transportation is handled and whether the district needs all the buildings it now operates, with the future of the Silas Wood building a particular focus.

Joan E. Townley, planning services coordinator at Western Suffolk BOCES, said that a study of building needs would cover such categories as demographics, current and projected enrollment, facilities, options and other topics.

Tim Ammon of Management Partnership Services said a study of how to handle future busing operations would analyze current costs and policies but also examine contracts, management of time and distance and several other topics. He said his company could produce a study in about 90 days.

Patch asked Dr. David Bennardo, the school superintendent, about those projects.

Q. What are the costs of the contracts?

A. The study to determine additional cost savings within the Transportation Department is approximately $14,000. The study to determine feasibility and cost savings with closing the Silas Wood 6th grade center is $15,000, with more than 40% of that cost aid-able, meaning the district would be able to recoup or get BOCES aid for that amount.

Q. When do you expect the board to award them?

A. Possibly at the next BOE meeting scheduled for Sept. 5.

Q. When did the board vote to solicit the contracts?

A. At the end of the last school year.

Q. What are the target dates for implementation?

A. The studies would take approximately 90 day to complete. The BOE would like to have these studies done prior to the December holiday break so that the feasibility and financial impact (if any) could be presented to the community in the 12-13 budget workshops that begin on Feb.27.