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Board approves faculty agreement, $867,000 bus bond and a package of financial and operational measures
Summary
At its June 22 meeting the Marcellus Central School District board approved a tentative agreement with the Marcellus Faculty Association, authorized a $867,000 bond for transportation vehicles, joined a workers' compensation cooperative and approved several budgetary and personnel measures.
The Marcellus Central School District Board of Education on June 22 approved a slate of routine and budgetary items, including a tentative faculty contract, a bus bond and changes to the district's workers' compensation arrangements.
The board voted to approve a tentative agreement with the Marcellus Faculty Association, a motion made by board member Amy Bardaletta and seconded by Jennifer Tedesco. The motion carried following brief remarks that both sides had made concessions to reach a settlement.
The board also authorized serial bonds totaling $867,000 to finance voter‑approved transportation purchases from the May 19, 2026 ballot. The resolution covers the purchase of three 65‑passenger buses, one 36‑passenger wheelchair bus and one van. Justin Pritchard moved the bus bond resolution and Kelly Rossiter seconded; a roll call recorded the present board members voting in the affirmative.
On insurance and risk management the board approved joining the New York State Municipal Workers' Compensation Alliance to pool purchasing power; administrators said the change is expected to save roughly $50,000 annually. The board then elected, under subdivision 3A of section 50 of the Workers' Compensation Law, to become a self‑insurer for workers' compensation claims effective July 1, 2026. Those measures passed on motions and voice votes recorded at the meeting.
Other approved business included the appointment and one‑year terms for Donald Webber as school business executive (effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027); authorization to use retirement reserve funds up to the district's actual current‑year liability (not to exceed the $1.5 million appropriated in the budget) to address projected shortfalls; and adoption of StudySync for grade six English language arts on a one‑year contract at an approximate cost of $5,500. The board also approved the district's A‑7 contract with OCM BOCES for 2026–2027 and routine personnel and consent agenda items.
The board discussed the retirement reserve transfer in some detail. Administrators said higher-than-anticipated expenses — including BOCES services, out‑of‑district placements for students with high‑cost needs, a recent cyberattack and higher utilities — coupled with lower state aid (projected shortfall of roughly $400,000–$450,000) and reduced interest income are the primary drivers for tapping reserves. The district said it will know the precise amounts once the audit is complete.
The meeting concluded with a vote to adjourn the public session and enter executive session to discuss the superintendent's evaluation, contract negotiations and personnel matters. The board scheduled its reorganization meeting for July 13, 2026.
Votes at a glance: tentative faculty agreement (approved); bus bond $867,000 (approved); join Workers' Comp Alliance (approved); self‑insurance under WCL §50(3‑A) effective July 1, 2026 (approved); appointment of school business executive Donald Webber (approved); transfer of retirement reserve up to district liability (authorized); StudySync grade 6 ELA one‑year contract ≈ $5,500 (approved); OCM BOCES A‑7 contract (approved); routine personnel and consent items (approved).
