White Plains CitizeNetReporter - School District: Governor Veto By Wednesday. Concerned About Health Plan

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 12. 2003: Banking on an override of a sure Governor Pataki veto, the School Board adopted the School Report Card last night calling for a 6.9% tax increase, with a veto override, and an 8.9% increase if the Governor's veto is sustained.

On Scholar Athletes' Night at the White Plains High School, 7 of 9 Spring teams (3 of them, Golf, Tennis, and Men's Track, Championship Teams), were introduced by their coaches and recognized for maintaining a team average of 90 or better.

In a move that generated considerable discussion, the White Plains School Board voted to approve a lifting of an increase cap (of 90% of any competing plan) in their State-Wide Schools Cooperative Health Plan, on their self-insured health benefits program by a 4-0 margin.

FROM ROOKIE TO BOSS: The Board approved the appointment of Gail Epstein from Assistant Principal to Principal of Mamaroneck Avenue School, replacing Hugh McKiernan who is retiring. Ms. Epstein received a glowing recommendation from Mr. McKiernan. Epstein went to White Plains schools, and has educated all four of her children in the White Plains system. She started her teaching career at MAS, where she never dreamed she'd become Principal there some day. Ms. Epstein is one of the rare instances in recent memory where an Assistant Principal has ascended to the Principal position in White Plains.
Photo by WPCNR News

Donna McLaughlin, William Pollak and Susan Kirkpatrick called for an examination of the long term effects of lifting the cap, and future discussions with the district unions on possible changes in the health plan. Mr. Lasselle said that discussions would have to held with the union to explore other plans other than the health plan the district now particpates in with 15 other New York School Districts. Health Insurance benefits costs rose from $9,801,369 in 2001/2002 to a record $13, 272,108 (budgeted in 2003-04), up 8.3% from 2002-03.

McLaughlin, long a voice for fiscal restraint and scrutiny on the School Board, said she made the suggestion to examine alternatives because she felt it would be "good to have a reference" on what a private carrier would charge the district. Lasselle said that could be explored. He added that the state insurance department decreed that White Plains and the 15 other School Districts supporting the plan could not continue to maintain a cap on increases because of rising health costs, and they did not wish insurers to go out of business.

In other news, Assistant Superintendent for Business Richard Lasselle, said the School Disctrict expects Governor George Pataki to decide whether or not to veto the New York State Legislature's budget by Wednesday. Lasselle said that if the veto were not overridden by the State Legislature, the district would face a tax increase of 8.9% instead of the current 6.9% made possible by the legislature restoring 1.8 Million in state aid to the budget they passed last week.

Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors said the Public Hearing on the School Budget would be held May 21, with the vote occuring on the School Budget June 3, as well as School Board Elections. In addition to the three incumbents on the Board of Education who are running for reelection, (Donna McLaughlin, Michelle Tratoros, and Peter Bassano), new contenders Terence McGuire and Michael Seymour were in attendance at the meeting, introducing themselves. Four seats are up for election.

In other employment news, Dr. Linda Ochser, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, said she had received 30 applications from candidates for Richard Lasselle's position as Assistant Superintendent for Business. She also said the District has vacancies for Assistant Principals at Eastview School and Mamaroneck Avenue School.


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