Saugerties district flags aging fire alarm, reports asbestos abatement ahead of school year
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Summary
At a special Saugerties Central School District meeting, Superintendent Dr. Ersick recommended an emergency expenditure to replace the fire alarm at Kayla Elementary and reported a minor asbestos abatement at Marion; the board entered executive session and later adjourned.
SAUGERTIES, N.Y. — At a special meeting called before the start of the school year, Saugerties Central School District Superintendent Dr. Ersick told the board the administration is recommending an emergency expenditure to replace the fire alarm system at Kayla Elementary School and reported completion of a small asbestos abatement at Marion.
The meeting, convened to address personnel and business-office recommendations that must be settled before classes start, opened with roll call and brief procedural matters. "With school just a few days away, it's important for us to stop and thank our all of our 12 month employees who have been working tirelessly over the summer," Dr. Ersick said, thanking custodial, maintenance, clerical and IT staff as well as contractors working on a capital project.
On facilities, Dr. Ersick said the fire alarm system at Kayla Elementary remains operational but that the inspector believes it is at the end of its useful life and replacement parts are no longer manufactured. "On the agenda tonight, there is a board action item to approve the expenditure for replacing the fire alarm system at Kayla Elementary School," he said, describing the purchase as an emergency recommendation to ensure safety and building readiness.
Dr. Ersick also reported a minor abatement at Marion after crumbling asbestos floor tile was found inside a closet beneath a washer and dryer. "We did go through the proper protocols to dispose of that asbestos, and our staff is kind of patching the floor for that," he said.
He welcomed new and returning students and urged patience with bus service during the first week of school, asking caregivers to plan ahead as routes settle. The superintendent noted the district is working through issues related to a capital project to make sure facilities open on time.
The board recorded motions to move into executive session, to reconvene and to adjourn; a voice vote on adjournment was taken and the meeting concluded. The transcript records the executive-session motion and a later reconvening; mover and seconder are partially identified in the record (references to Ms. Gallagher and Mr. Paul appear). The agenda item to formally approve the fire-alarm expenditure appears on the meeting agenda as described by the superintendent but the transcript does not contain a recorded vote on that specific expenditure.
Next steps: the district will proceed with the procurement and abatement follow-up as staff complete required administrative steps; the transcript does not specify funding sources or a dollar amount for the fire alarm replacement.
