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The Niagara Falls City School District (NFCD) has selected Ms. Angela Manella as the new principal at Cataract Elementary School. Manella replaces Stan Wojton, who will be taking a position as principal on special assignment at Central Office.
Auditors from Drescher & Malecki, LLP presented the Niagara Falls City School District’s external audit. They reported no material findings and a growing fund balance. Superintendent Mark Laurrie added that the NFCSD is at an all-time high in its number of staff (1,452) to meet the needs of our students, and all six labor contracts have been settled through 2028.
NFCSD Director of Facilities Earl Smeal provided a capital projects update. All the projects reviewed are projects paid for with American Rescue Act Funds.
1. Community Education Center (CEC) District Archives – Fire suppression system installation process, estimated completion date Nov. 10.
2. Bloneva Bond Primary School – Boiler plant replacement in process, estimated completion date Nov. 3.
3. Henry J. Kalfas – Replacement of HVAC heat pump system ongoing replacement estimated completion date March 1, 2024.
4. Niagara Falls High School – Chiller plant, cooling tower on site, chillers to ship October 27, estimated completion date is April 1, 2024
Superintendent Laurrie added that the District is close to having its Phase II projects approved by the State Education Department (SED):
1. Air conditioning units at LaSalle and Gaskill
2. Secured vestibules in all schools
3. Cameras, wiring, and nuisance alarms
4. Walk of Fame
5. Greenhouse attached to Bloneva Bond Primary
6. Window film – bullet-resistant material for the District’s buildings’ lower-level windows
NFCSD Director of Security Bryan DalPorto briefed the Board of Education on the Friday, Oct. 20, active shooter drill at Niagara Falls High School involving eight law enforcement and first responder agencies. Students were released for a half day, and only a
few stayed for the drill; they were student actors and actresses who played the part of the wounded. After the event, the participants held a debrief to discuss how the active shooter response can be improved.
