Niagara Falls School Board candidates' night and school board recap

Sad reality sets in

A few concerned voters put together a school board candidate forum Tuesday night.

Two candidates showed. Five are running.

The same problem in city government gives us a repetitive cycle of people who scoff at newcomers investing in the city and starting small businesses. Taxpayers attend American Rescue Plan forums and only hear how no one is sure what is permissible.

Then we end up with almost all the funds spent on police and fire, with nothing relating back to the input the public had to offer. Spending on emergency services is good. Ignoring the people is not.

In the end, we have a teacher residency requirement. That creates a huge bloc of interested educators. They vote the same way as police and fire, for the status quo.

Reality is the endorsed Niagara Falls Teachers Association candidates were previously obligated to attend a celebration of tenure and retirements.

Rather than just defining the problem, it is better to seek a solution:

1. When is the 2025 school board election?
2. When would the Niagara Falls Teachers’ Association like to have a forum.

I don’t think it would change the number of citizens who attend but it might get the candidates there.

Here are May 8 School Board notes

Counseling update: Mr. Kevin Burgess, Licensed Clinical Social Worker from the Niagara Falls City School District Family Resource Center, provided an update on the District's social work program redesign.

There are 17 social workers employed by the Niagara Falls City School District (NFCSD). The social work program updated the District's Community Resource Guide on the District's website, www.nfschools.net, that includes referrals to mental health services, transportation, addiction treatment, and housing.

In addition, the Family Resource Center was redesigned to address updated workflow, referrals, and tracking. The Family Resource Center addresses needs, including emergency food, family support, and health insurance for students and families.

Code of Conduct: The Board held a public hearing regarding the District Code of Conduct and the District-wide School Safety Plan. A committee of many representatives—associates, teachers, parents, and administrators—met earlier in the year to review as requested by New York State.

Budget hearing: The Board held a public hearing on the 2024/2025 budget. Before the hearing, Niagara Falls City School District Superintendent Mark Laurrie pointed out that this proposed budget features no reductions in full-time equivalent staff or cuts to current programs. Administer for School Business Services Rebecca Holody and Budget Manager Julie Jacklin reviewed the expenditures and revenues for the final budget in preparation for the hearing. The budget total for 2024 – 2025 is $190,992,049. If the spending plan does not pass, bussing will be affected, the amount of school supplies provided to students will be reduced, and the use of District buildings will require upfront payment.

New Business

Superintendent Laurrie recommended passage of the following items that are up for a vote at the Board's next regular meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2024:

• Approval of acceptance of Funds for the 2023/2024 Full-Day Universal Prekindergarten Grant of $289,000

• Approval of a contract with Niagara County Community College (NCCC) to provide for NFCSD's summer college credit class beginning in July 2024. Students will take courses in industrial manufacturing and earn college credit. During the summer of 2024, some eleventh-grade students will start taking courses in which they are embarking on their college credit journey at NFHS.

• Approval of the use of pesticides on the grounds of Niagara Falls High School for the control of ticks.

Superintendent's Report:

Harry F. Abate Elementary presented The Lion King, Jr. in the school's auditorium on May 2 and 3. The students did a fabulous job, and it is good to see them getting involved in theatre in elementary school. Thank you to the teachers who worked tirelessly to put the musical together.

The Niagara Falls Education Foundation held its scholarship dinner at Antonio's on May 1, 2024. Twenty-three Niagara Falls High School (NFHS) students received scholarships in varying amounts.

Saturday, May 4, 2024, a cleanup day was held in Niagara Falls. District employees volunteered to clean around each school. The District is extremely grateful to The Chapel for cleaning the grounds around Cataract Elementary. Chapel volunteers built an outdoor classroom with benches and whiteboards that the schools can use for learning when the weather allows.

The next meeting of the City of Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education is May 16, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at Central Office, 630 66th Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14304