A survey on the 2014-15 budget should be submitted by March 5 for the budget advisory committee to review. It will remain open online until March 10, when school board members meet next to discuss the budget.

Interim Superintendent Lonnie Palmer recommended the school board make cuts and share services to reduce non-instructional costs at Berne-Knox-Westerlo and offset spending on training for teachers and additional instructors.

With the option of extending the alternative veterans' tax exemption to school taxes, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school board held a public hearing on the question but hasn't yet taken a vote.

The school board has not yet convened a committee that traditionally combs through the spending plan starting in November. In recent meetings, the board and superintendent have discussed a modified timeline for the budget.

Peter Shunney, Berne-Knox-Westerlo's building and maintenance supervisor for more than 11 years, is concerned he won't be able to keep his role in his department.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo's basketball season came to an end after getting out-muscled by Rensselaer.

School board member Vasilios Lefkaditis said his calculations showed a more grim outlook for the school's future budget decisions than administrators had presented. The agreement with Berne-Knox-Westerlo Teacher Support Staff was approved with three out of five in favor.

BKW boys' basketball is at the top of the Western Athletic Conference standings with a 6-1 record (8-5 overall).

This week, the Bulldogs beat Sharon Springs, 74 to 34, on the road, and then followed that up with a 74-to-71 win at home against Middleburgh on Wednesday. 

Berne-Knox-Westerlo School Board President Joan Adriance thanked speakers at the Jan. 13 board meeting who requested documents related to the dismissal of basketball coach Andrew Wright this fall.