MORAVIA - Moravia Central School District carpenter Bill Youngs can breathe a sigh of relief. His job has been spared, for now.

The board of education decided Wednesday to readdress the position of superintendent of buildings and grounds during budget season later this year.

“We have had a lot of discussion on this,” said board president Laura Wells. “It's a topic with a lot of emotion in it and it might be best to just leave it at this until when it comes back to budgeting time.”

“The folks that are directly impacted by this, I think they've had enough stomach churning over it and it's time to move on,” Wells added.

The board had decided to hire a superintendent of buildings and grounds - a position that would, along with many other duties, include the responsibilities of carpenter - earlier this year. The district believed the carpenter position would not be needed, and budgeted the hiring of the superintendent while abolishing the position of carpenter.

Abolishing the carpenter position would also displace other members of the maintenance staff.

“The position of superintendent of buildings and grounds is a much broader position and would be a

welcomed position,” said Pat Shaw, district business administrator.

Board member Terry Lamphier said there is a bigger picture in this decision.

“Sometimes a board has to make decisions that are not favorable,” she said.

“These are people I like, but sometimes this has to be done for the best of the kids,” she added.

The issue will disappear from board agendas in the near future, but not forever.

“The community should know that this is coming,” said Mike Miller, board vice president.

In other news:

* Jim Ellis, the district's transportation supervisor, gave a presentation on the future of students wearing seat belts on the bus to and from school.

Ellis asked the board to consider passing a policy that would require all students to use seat belts while being transported to school.

“We have belts on our buses,” he said. “We've already bought them. I think it's sad that we're not using them.”

* Varsity basketball coach Butch McGuerty, was has not been reappointed coach for this year, spoke to the board, asking for them to reconsider their decision.

“It was recommended that I be reappointed by my direct supervisor, athletic director Terry Palmer, after my evaluation following the 2006-2007 season,” he said.

McGuerty would not comment following the meeting on the exact reason why he was not reappointed, but while talking to the board, he insinuated a personal vendetta was perhaps the cause.

Cal Morehouse, a former member of the school board, spoke to the board on behalf of McGuerty. He said there is a perception that a personal vendetta is keeping McGuerty from the basketball court.

“It appears to me and much of the community that this doesn't seem to be very fair and it's because of personal vendettas on the part of the board,” he said. “Does the board want to be known as a board that has personal vendettas? I certainly hope not.”

“Do as the president instructed you,” he added. “Listen to the voices. Think about what really should be happening. Listen to the voices and do the right thing. Reappoint Mr. McGuerty as the varsity basketball coach.”

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239.