Group will provide team equipment

WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen school board accepted a donation from the U.S. Lacrosse First Stick Program to provide team uniforms, coach training, and player membership for a varsity lacrosse team, during the Monday, Sept. 16 school board meeting.
Board member and lacrosse program co-organizer Kelly McCarthy explained the district had a successful first year of the modified program in 2012-13. However, she said there were five ninth grade students who were going to be too old for modified this year, plus other interested students at the varsity level. The group had planned to eventually extend the lacrosse offering to varsity. McCarthy said the lacrosse program organizers applied for the grant and received confirmation Sept. 4 that they will be a recipient.
McCarthy explained the U.S. Lacrosse First Stick Program will provide full gear for 24 players and one goalie, plus training for a coach and reduced U.S. lacrosse student membership fees. She explained the group is not providing the funds, but the gear itself. McCarthy estimated the gear and training equals approximately $17,050.
In other business:
• The board approved an agreement with the YWCA in Chemung County to provide the new after school program at Watkins Glen. Superintendent Tom Phillips said he expects for it to start in early to mid-October, as soon as the state approves the certification. He added it will be held at the elementary school, unless enrollment is too large. Phillips said the school expects to do a community night to inform parents about the changes.
• Jeff Bartholomew, Office of Real Property Tax Services Syracuse regional manager, spoke about the STAR tax exemption application process. He explained people who receive the basic STAR exemption on school taxes are being asked to reapply by Dec. 31. Bartholomew said people looking to sign up for STAR for the first time need to contact their local tax assessor office. Residents with questions are asked to call the state at 518-457-2036. Schuyler County Real Property Tax Director Tom Bloodgood will be holding a workshop about the exemption, Thursday, Sept. 26, in the high school computer lab room 717.
• The board accepted the 2012-13 audit report.
• A treatment table was accepted from Schuyler Hospital to be used for physical therapy.
The next school board meeting is Monday, Oct. 7. It is expected to start at 6:30 p.m. following an executive session.