Nine-Period Seaford Middle School Day Back on Schedule

A nine-period day at Seaford Middle School is back on schedule for this fall.  

The Seaford Board of Education officially approved a one-year memorandum of agreement Thursday night that it had struck Tuesday with the United Teachers of Seaford (UTS). This agreement allows the district to avoid cutting 8.8 full-time equivalent teaching positions that were slated to go into effect under a previously announced budget plan that included reducing to an eight-period middle school day.

“I am so pleased the nine-period middle school day is being preserved,” said Seaford Board of Education Trustee Susan Ruona after Thursday’s unanimous vote to approve the UTS agreement.

The one-year deal with the UTS, whose three-year contract was due to expire June 30, includes a 0 percent salary increase and a hard freeze in contractual step and lane movement for the 2013/2014 school year. The agreement calls for maintaining the percentage contributed for health insurance and guarantees no layoffs to UTS members.

“I want to thank the [UTS] membership for working together with the district to just bring together two groups and making sure that what we’re doing collectively and collaboratively is for the kids,” said Seaford Board of Education President Brian Fagan during Thursday’s meeting held at Seaford Manor School. “I’m very pleased with this.”

A continuation of Seaford Middle School’s nine-period day is contingent upon voters approving the district’s proposed $60.4 million budget on May 21. The spending plan represents a 4.58 percent increase over the district’s current budget. The tax levy increase of 3.59 percent is the maximum the district was allowed under new tax rules that were approved by the New York State Legislature two years ago.

A budget hearing is scheduled for May 9 in the Seaford High School Auditorium starting at 7:30 p.m. Voting on Seaford's 2013/14 budget plan is scheduled for May 21 at Seaford Manor School and Seaford Harbor School from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.