|
InSTAR dispute nearer to resolution
|
Last Wednesday's Three Village School Board meeting did not resolve the two-year debate over ownership of the name of the InSTAR science research program at Ward Melville High School, but it did appear to increase the chances of an amiable resolution.
"There is growing sentiment the name shouldn't be changed," said board President David Micklos. At the board's previous meeting on Oct. 27 ("Board debates InSTAR, Baldo owns name," Oct. 29), the long dispute was aired between George Baldo, who runs the highly successful research program at Ward Melville, and the trustees who feel the name of the program, trademarked years ago by Baldo, should be owned by the district that funds the effort. Micklos said one alternative being discussed was to simply change the name, but Baldo — and some school board trustees — disagree since InSTAR has become a recognizable and respected program in the eyes of college admissions officers.
"We need to do what's best for the kids," said Baldo this week. He addressed the school board last week — Baldo was not present the prior week — and said a meeting has been scheduled for today, Nov. 12, to "discuss further" resolving the dispute. Baldo said last week if the district agreed to reimburse him for the expense of trademarking the name, about $3,500, he would transfer the rights to the district.
Also at last week's trustee's meeting Interim Superintendent Don Webster's contract was amended to provide a "customary" car allowance, according to Micklos. The board president said the $5,200 amount, intended to cover the cost to Webster in utilizing his own vehicle for district business, was "less than [former Superintendent Ralph] Ferrie's $5,500" but more than the stipend for assistant superintendents.
| |
|
|
