Appeals were made Monday to the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Board of Education to help maintain the Unadilla Community Library.
Peggy Leefers, library board president, presented two options. One was to turn over the Unadilla elementary building to the community for use as designated by the voters and the Unadilla Village Board. The other was to keep the library intact.
The library includes a children’s area and an adult area. Leefers said that the Unadilla library board received materials through a Kimmel Foundation grant and some materials from a memorial contribution.
Leefers said that a lot of funds were contributed to build book shelves. Many volunteer hours were involved as well, she said.
Leefers said the library board wants to keep children’s material for possible summer programs and other special events for Unadilla-area children. She said the library board has an annual fundraiser and gives two $200 scholarships annually. She said the board tries to promote further education.
The library is open Tuesday, 5-6:30 p.m. and is staffed by volunteers. Leefers said the library board would like to increase hours.
Chuck Porter also addressed the school board and said he was disappointed, but not surprised by last month’s decision not to use the Unadilla building for classrooms. He said it is a good facility for instruction of young children. He said he would like to have had answers given to questions raised in the January hearing. He said many people put a lot of effort into putting together the questions and concerns.
Porter said many people are passionate about the Unadilla community and the school building. He requested school officials work with the public to discuss possible uses of the building. He said many would like it to continue to serve the public as a community library.
“If given the opportunity, people will be proactive in helping school officials determine the building’s future,” Porter said.
Janet Harder said some parents of Unadilla students use the library and that some contributions were made to the library and not to the school.
Dan Crownover of the Unadilla Village Board said that its members want to keep the Unadilla Community Library, but that the village cannot do anything until school officials decide what to do with the building.
Other business
Resolutions were passed to issue new bonds for 2003 bonds at a lower rate to save money and to issue remaining 2010 building bonds of $375,000.
The safety committee was approved. Members are same as last year: Ken Aden, Mike Holland, Dr. Joy Stilmock, Sallie Agena, Kathy Lechner, Bobbi Nannen, Beccy Jensen, Roxy Voorhees, Tim Isaacs and Mark Hrabik. It includes representatives from the administration, teachers, volunteer firefighters, law enforcement, rescue squad and PTO.
The resignation of Barbara Wolf, elementary teacher, was accepted. She has taught at S-D-A for 26 years.
Driver education fees will remain $200 for students in the district and $280 for others. Arlo Wusk of Sterling will be the instructor. Classroom instruction is May 25-28.
The school calendar was approved. Dates to note include an open house on Aug. 19. Students start Monday, Aug. 23. Graduation will be Saturday, May 14. Second semester ends Friday, May 20. The calendar has 180 student days and 188 teacher days.
