Parent Pushing for Transparency in Sewanhaka District

Felix Procacci, a parent in the school district, has suggested at several of the board of education meetings that there be more transparency and more information included in the budget flyers that go out to parents. He once again urged the board to do so at the June 28 board of education meeting.

Procacci would like to see information about various contracts sent to the public.

"The response from a few board members is that the information is already out and already available to the public," Procacci said.

He added that there is no comprehensive source for these records, that SeeThroughNY's information is slightly outdated and that trying to obtain this information is time consuming.

"The public would be better served if employee contracts were published on the school website," Procacci said. "The public would be better served if the budget newsletter, which the residents pay for, gave more comprehensive information about how their money is being spent."

After giving his speech, Procacci tried to poll the board members about their thoughts on transparency and providing more information.

"I know no district that publishes all their contracts," David Fowler said.

Laura Ferone added, "On the brochure, it does give the total salary dollar amounts so it's really redundant to list all the salary contracts."

David Del Santo said he would like to see transparency not just in the school boards but have more information available such as the governor's salary.

"I agree with what you're saying... but I think this could have been accomplished in a much easier way," Del Santo said.