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Niagara Falls School Board meeting report
Summary of the June 6 meeting
Seal of Biliteracy
Administrator for Assessment Marcia Capone provided background information on the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. The New York State Seal of Biliteracy is a high honor recognizing students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.
One of the two languages must be English. Ability is demonstrated through testing, grades, and a culminating project in multiple languages. The City School District of the City of Niagara Falls is proud to announce that nine members of the Class of 2024 have earned this distinction.
Superintendent Mark Laurrie and Niagara Falls High School Principal Cheryl Vilardo presented a certificate to each Seal of Biliteracy student: Ala Nagi, Arooj Kynat, Melianis Colazzo-Costillo, Tayeshka Ahmed, Rafay Bawamia, Charity Hosler, Madeline Jarzyniecki, Robinyo Robin and Joshi Hakash.
Continuum of Niagara Falls High School Alternative (NFHS) Programs
Niagara Falls High School Principal Cheryl Vilardo reviewed the continuum of programs offered to NFHS alternative learners. NFHS has nine alternative path settings available. Each program is based on the child's needs, and students are placed in the appropriate program. Students are provided with the support and resources they need to flourish and succeed. The system is fluid and students can move from program to program if needed. All students in the alternative program can access sports, school dances, and all activities if they keep up with their academic programs.
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, June 20, 2024:
· Approval of Building-Level School Safety Plans as amended and filing with the New York State Commissioner of Education
· Approval of District Code of Conduct as Amended and filing with the New York State Commissioner of Education
· Approval of Comprehensive District-Wide School Safety Plan as Amended and filing with the New York State Commissioner of Education
Superintendent's Report:
Congratulations to Rebecca Holody, our district administrator for school business services, and Julie Jacklin, our budget manager, for their outstanding work on the 2024 – 2025 school year budget. The Niagara Falls City School District budget was approved with 84.3% of the vote, the highest percentage of favorable votes for any school budget in WNY.
Congratulations to incumbent Board of Education member Nicholas Vilardo and Mr. Bradley McLeod on winning five-year terms. Their terms will start in July 2024 (after they take the oath of office at the Board of Education Reorganization meeting on July 2, 2024).
Thank you, Mr. Jerry Puleo, Mr. Carlton Cain, and Ms. Portland Jackson, for participating as candidates for the school board.
Congratulations to our girls' 4 x 100-meter relay team, which qualified for the New York State championships: Jhonnea Harris, J'Nysha Cary, T'Mya Jenkins, and Jayla Scott. Miss Harris also qualified to compete in the high jump. Also, congratulations to Nick Young, who qualified for the 200-yard dash.
The Niagara Falls High School spring sports teams were all named scholar-athlete teams. To earn the title, 75% of the participants must maintain a grade point average of 90% or higher.
The New York State Board of Regents will meet on June 10 and 11, 2024, to discuss the new graduation standards.
Class Day is Saturday, June 15, 2024. The Class of 2024 parade will start at 10:00 a.m. (please see the parade route on the District's and Niagara Falls High School's websites and social media sites). The parade will conclude with a picnic on the football field. The Class of 2024 Senior Prom will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, followed by the Post-Prom Party at NFHS.
On Friday, June 14, 2024, NFHS will host the LaSalle Education Club Dinner at 6:00 p.m. at Niagara Falls High School. Dozens of NFHS students will receive scholarships. Karen Howard, co-president of the Niagara Falls City School District Parent Education Club, will be recognized for the volunteer time she provides to the district parent group each year.
The District recently held two commitment signing days for our Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program. Approximately 60 students from LaSalle Prep and Gaskill Prep and their parents signed a pledge to complete either the computer science tech program or the mechanical technology program.
SUNY Niagara is offering a free college writing class at Bloneva Bond Primary School this summer from July 8 to August 19 for parents whose children attend the Niagara Falls City School District. Free child care will be provided. To register, please contact William Brinson at 716-614-6258 or email wbrinson@niagaracc.suny.edu.
The District met with representatives from Standard and Poors (S&Ps) and requested that its bond rating be raised from "A" to "AA." The District will receive word on the S&P bond rating decision on June 11 or June 12, 2024.
Superintendent Laurrie requested that the Board consider these pieces of proposed New York State Legislation:
· "Pump the Brakes" is a request to extend the timeline for using E(electronic)-Buses. The request has already been denied, and in August, the District must submit its first report on the NFCSD's planned use and timeline for E-Buses.
· Proposed legislation to return the teacher rating system from the state back to local control.
· Banning student use of cellular phones during school hours. This bill has passed and is awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's expected signature.
· Legislation to update the Civil Service Exam questions every five years.
· Upgrade the distribution system for absentee ballots.
· A bill requiring a superintendent or board member to sit on every Industrial Development Agency (IDA) board. A representative of a local labor union would also be asked to join the Board.
The next meeting of the City of Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education is June 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at Central Office, 630 66th Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14304
