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Upcoming Events
Nov 21
1/2 Day for Parent-Teacher Conferences
8:00 AM - 11:25 AM
Unatego Central School District
Nov 22
1/2 Day for Parent-Teacher Conferences
8:00 AM - 11:25 AM
Unatego Central School District
Nov 27
Thanksgiving Recess!
All Day
Unatego Central School District
Dec 2
BOE Meeting
Starting at 7:00 PM
#93
Dec 2
Bus Vote
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Unatego Central School District
Dec 23
Holiday Recess!
All Day
Unatego Central School District
Jan 6
BOE Meeting
Starting at 7:00 PM
#93
Feb 3
BOE Meeting
Starting at 7:00 PM
#93
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News & Announcements
Half-Days for Parent/Teacher Conferences
Unatego will dismiss after a half day of instruction on Thursday and Friday, November 21-22 for Parent-teacher conferences.
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Superintendent’s Note to the Unatego Comm...
November 4, 2024
 
On Monday, December 2, 2024, eligible Unatego voters will be asked to vote yes or no on the following proposition.
 
The item is a referendum authorizing the district to lease four school buses to replace four buses whose lease term is expiring, at a cost not to exceed $140,000 annually.  
 
Proposition 1
“…the Board of Education of the Otego-Unadilla Central School District is hereby authorized to lease and expend therefore, including costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, an amount not to exceed the estimated maximum cost of one hundred forty thousand dollars ($140,000) per year, and for a term not to exceed five (5) years, the following motor vehicles: three (3) 64-66 passenger school buses and one (1) 33-35 passenger school bus…”
  
FAQ’s about the Bus Lease Referendum
 
Why is it more cost-effective for Unatego to lease rather than purchase buses?
In 2013, the Unatego Board of Education made a commitment to transition from a wholly owned fleet to a fully-leased fleet of buses over a period of five years.  During the 2014-2015 school year, the District leased four buses, with a full extended warranty, for a period of five years.   Each subsequent school year, the District has been leasing, with voter approval, four or five buses per year. During the 2021-2022 school year, four buses leased in 2016 had to be returned to the dealer and needed to be replaced in the District fleet. Each year hereafter, the District has replaced four or five buses as their leases (and warranties) expire.
 
There are several reasons why we now lease, rather than purchase, our buses.  First, each bus costs more than $100,000, and were it necessary to purchase four or five buses, we would need to bond for $400,000 or $500,000 each year, with that bond to be repaid over a five-year period.  Leasing requires only a fraction of the funding required to purchase.  Second, leasing buses with an extended warranty reduces the District’s maintenance costs significantly, as we only pay for “wear and tear” items.  Finally, leasing ensures that all the vehicles in our fleet are no more than five years old, which reduces the need for body work, engine overhauls, and transmission service.  Most importantly, we take the safety of our students very seriously and newer buses are safer.
 
Why does the District need to lease four new buses?
To replace the buses going ‘off lease’.  If we maintain this annual rotation schedule, the impact to taxpayers will not increase significantly and we will continue to generate NYS Transportation Aid to cover 90% of the cost of the leases.  
 
Why do we need so many buses when our enrollment is down?  
First, even though our enrollment has declined in recent years, ridership has remained relatively steady at 563 students transported each day.  We currently have 12 in-district routes and 7 out-of-district routes, necessitating 19 daily runs, up from 16 in 2014.  It should also be noted that our district covers 186 square miles.  In order to keep student transport time to an hour or less, we need to maintain our current routes. Our fleet currently consists of 21 buses, all 21 of which are leased (13 large, 8 small).  
 
If you have any questions about the Transportation Department or the bus vote, please contact one of the following:
 
Brian Trask, Transportation Director, [email protected]  or 607-988-1006
Patti Loker, Business Manager, [email protected] or 607-988-5020
David Richards, Superintendent, [email protected] or 607-988-5038
 
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Unatego HOD to induct two alumni on Decem...
We are pleased to announce the newest members of the Unatego Hall of Distinction.  This year’s class includes:
This year’s inductees include a member of the Unatego class of 1971 and a 1979 Unatego grad.  
 
Bob Zaveral, Unatego Class of 1971, was a three-sport athlete at Unatego and still in high school when he completed the General Clinton 70 Mile Canoe Regatta, a feat he would repeat forty more times. As a competitor in international competition, he excelled as one of the best paddlers in the world.  His love for canoeing led to his opening a business to make custom canoe paddles and quickly became a premier supplier of equipment to elite athletes. He is currently the owner of ZRE in Wells Bridge. 
 
Dr. Edwin Acosta, a 1979 Unatego grad, knew early in life that he wanted to be a physician. After medical school and completion of his internships and residency, Dr. Acosta specialized in radiology and nuclear medicine, and today serves as Chief of Radiology, Interventional Radiology, and Nuclear Medicine at Arnot-Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, NY.  He also is the President of Associated Radiologists of the Finger Lakes. 
 
There will be a reception at the High School Cafeteria beginning at 5:00 PM on December 13, followed by induction ceremonies in the HS gym the same evening following the JV Basketball game.  
Please join us as we honor these two newest members.  





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