The City School District of the City of Niagara Falls Board of Education held its reorganization meeting and first meeting of the new fiscal year on July 2, 2024. District clerk Judith Glaser performed the oath of office for newly elected board members Nicholas Vilardo and Brad McLeod, each to five-year terms on the board of education.
The board elected new officers. Glaser swore in the board of education members Anthony Paretto for his one-year-term as vice president and Russell Petrozzi as president.
Glaser was re-appointed as district clerk and records management officer. Denise Kolber was appointed to the position of internal claims auditor, and Administrator for Human Resources Maria Massaro was appointed public records access officer from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
In addition, Budget Manager Julie M. Jacklin was appointed school district treasurer from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Administrator for School Business Services Rebecca Holody was appointed School District Tax Collector from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Massaro, is designated the Medicaid Compliance Officer for the period of July 2025.
Dr. Philip Saugaveau was approved as director of school health services and Raymond Granieri, administrator for information services, was appointed as the District’s data privacy information officer.
Regular Board Meeting
The board approved 11 short-term contracts and 82 resolutions.
Superintendent’s Report
Administrator for Human Resources Maria Massaro reported that most District positions for the next school year are now filled.
Accolades to Security Director Bryan DalPorto and his security team and, Earl Smeal and his buildings and grounds staff, for an excellent job in getting the fields ready for the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 27, 2024. A perfect ceremony was held for the 4,000 people gathered.
The District will add new elementary autism classes this year. Three classes have been added, and specialized training for teachers will be provided.
The PreK Jamboree will be held on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Niagara Falls High School Fieldhouse. It is a free event.
Summer programs begin July 15, 2024, at GJ Mann and Niagara Falls High School.
Superintendent Laurrie wished the board, parents, and students a happy, healthy summer
New Business
The board approved several items, including:
· Building-Level School Safety Plans as amended and to be filed with the New York State Commissioner of Education
· District Code of Conduct as Amended and to be filed with the New York State Commissioner of Education
· Comprehensive District-Wide School Safety Plan as Amended and to be filed with the New York State Commissioner of Education.
Superintendent’s Report:
The District has been pleased to offer the use of the Community Education Center for the performing arts. The last two weekends and Wednesday, June 19, theatre lovers gathered at the CEC to see August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.” Turner’s The play was produced by PeaceQueen EduTainment.
Safety will always be the District’s top priority. The District has had additional safety officers at all of its events and will continue that practice. All staff members are instructed to be observant and aware of their surroundings.
Congratulations to Niagara Falls High School (NFHS) for establishing working relationships with 85 businesses that have now become partners in the Post Secondary Success (PS2) program. PS2 offers job shadows, job coaching, college tours, college credits, paid opportunities, formal offsite training, a job fair, and group-based classroom coaching. NFHS held breakfast for our partners, and some students expressed their gratitude to the business partners for lending their time and talents.
