Archive: News

In Last night's Board of Education meeting Martha Laux challenged each individual board member to explain why they think the budget failed.  Here are their answers:

"I don't know about anyone else, but I'm very uncomfortable about this budget," said Board of Education (BOE) Vice President Anne Drake, who presided over last night's special meeting.  "I don't feel ready to vote on this, but I know that we have to.  I must say that if we go to contingency -- programs, teachers -- they will be cut, unfortunately."  But she still couldn't bring herself to vote for the new proposed budget that is being proposed to replace the one that taxpayers said no to in May.  The Board voted 4-2 to put the new budget before the voters on June 20th.

After a particularly contentious day in e-mail the Lansing School Capital Project Facilities Committee had a productive meeting Wednesday evening when Middle and High School principals explained the needs in their buildings.  The meeting began with a review of its charge and an explanation of the process and what has been accomplished so far.  Next Middle School Principal John Gizzi and High School Principal Michelle Stone gave comprehensive presentations on how issues in their buildings impact their programs now and into the future.

With Lansing's School Budget the only one defeated in Tompkins County the Board of Education (BOE) has three options.  They can put the defeated $21,553,679 budget up for a vote again next month, they can put an amended budget up for a vote, or they can do nothing.  Doing nothing means a contingency budget will go into effect, cutting $378,530 and mandating how monies are used.  The Board voted to take the middle course, which is to develop a new budget with more cuts and hope that taxpayers will accept it.

The most fun part of Board of Education (BOE) Meetings is when students present work that they have done during the year.  Monday's meeting was no exception as first graders showed art work they had done and fourth graders presented art and science from their study of biomes.


First grade artists showed their Faith Ringgold Cityscapes, with pictures of themselves flying above the skyscrapers like Superman.

If you want to have a rally, carnival or parade in Lansing you'll need a permit, now that Lansing's Town Board passed a new Mass Gatherings law last Wednesday (5/17).  Town Attorney Guy Krogh explained that laws like this were prompted in the past by unregulated rock concerts in upstate New York where people died.  "They were unable to get medical services, it created a huge environmental mess, it didn't have proper facilities, didn't have water."  He said it affects other things like traffic, public health and access for fire trucks.

Lansing Town Board (l - r) Supervisor Steve Farkas, Deputy Supervisor Bud Shattuck, Connie Wilcox, Marty Christopher and Matt Besemer

By issuing permits municipalities are able to plan ahead.  For example, the fire department would know that a route is blocked and respond to emergencies via an alternative route.  "With permits you have something in place to make sure that there is safe parking, ingress and egress for emergency vehicles, sufficient water and facilities on-site to take care of the anticipated number of people."

The Town of Lansing is a step closer to realizing its plan to transform Salt Point, restoring its natural features and making it a place where people can enjoy nature.  At Wednesday's Town Board meeting the Salt Point Management Plan was unanimously approved, paving the way for landscaping and construction to begin.  The Town's Environmental Planner Darby Kiley presented the plan.  "Our agreement with DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) allows us to have low-impact, non-motorized uses," she explained.

The plan it to construct two roads, the first a gated entry that leads to a parking area, and the second a loop road along the Northern side of the area.  Educational kiosks will be erected, and places to launch non-motorized boats.  Existing roads will be revegetated, and walking paths will be established.  All motorized traffic will be restricted to the two roads. 

Lansing taxpayers said no with 53.45% of those who voted weighing in against the proposed $21,553,679 2006-2007 budget.  The vote was 310 for and 356 against.  Of the three propositions only one passed 387 to 272, authorizing the Board of Education (BOE) to borrow up to $245,000 to purchase three (2) 66-passenger school buses, one (1) 22-passenger bus and two (2) 6-passenger vans, at  a cost not to exceed $245,000. A third resolution authorizing the Board to purchase fitness equipment for school purposes at a cost not to exceed $130,000 was defeated 398 to 248.

Over the past year, three separate individuals occupied the Lansing Central School superintendent’s office. During the current school year, Ms. Tiffany Phillips served as interim superintendent until my appointment and subsequent arrival on January 4, 2006. Besides engaging in the activities associated with orienting oneself to a new district and a new community, I immersed myself in two essential initiatives that were underway prior to my arrival: the development of the 2006-07 school budget and the planning of a capital project initiative. In addition, a new initiative, long range planning, commenced within my first eight weeks in office.

On Thursday, May 4th Mark Lewis made his first annual report to the Board of Education in a public meeting.  The report covers his activities since January, when he joined the School District as Superintendent.  This is a full transcript of that report.

On May 16 voters will go to the polls to elect two Board of Education members, plus vote on whether to approve a $21,553,679 budget and resolutions to fund school busses and fitness equipment.  Anne Drake and Sandi Dhimitri are running unopposed to retain their seats on the School Board.

Anne Drake is a lifelong Lansing resident.  She lives here with her husband Rick, and has two daughters, Rebecca (16) and Meaghan (12), and two step-sons.  She works in the billing office at the Tompkins County Mental Health Clinic.  She is the senior Board of Education member with two terms under her belt, running uncontested for a third term.

Schools Get Passing Grades, But Scores Are Down

School Superintendent Mark Lewis presented Lansing's report card to the Board of Education (BOE) in its regular meeting last Monday.  Last year Lansing spent $8,011 on each general education student, up from $7,865 last year.  That is more than similar schools that spent $7,453 per student last year and $7,111 the previous year.  However, Lansing spends less per special education student than similar schools.  Last year similar schools spent $18,226 to Lansing's $14,224.

What are we getting for this money?  In a nutshell Lansing performs well as a whole, but there are some red flags.  First the good news:  Lansing has the highest percentage of students graduating in Tompkins County.  Last year an impressive 92.8% of students graduated.  That is up from the previous year, when 91.8% graduated.  In addition, 92% of last year's graduating class passed the Regents exams with a score of 65 or above in English/Language Arts (ELA).  65% got 85 or above.  These numbers are up from the previous year.