School Board Summary

Niagara Falls City School District Technology Integrator Edwin Maynard introduced new Apple iPads that the Niagara Falls City School District (NFCSD) is purchasing for PreK – second-grade students. Maynard outlined how the iPads will be an invaluable tool to engage the District's youngest students throughout the school day.

Apple iPads are more manageable for young children to use than laptops. The device does not utilize a mouse, and the touch screen helps develop motor skills. The user can do what a mouse can through the touch screen. The teacher has much control over the devices. For instance, instructors can control every device in the room, pause all iPads simultaneously, and put every student on the same page and lock it. In addition, iPads are portable and easy for children to carry, and they offer countless learning programs and methods. BOCES has approved the funds for the District to purchase 1,700 iPads.

Budget prep underway

Budget Manager Julie Jacklin presented the second iteration of the 2025 – 2026 school year budget. The District intends to not increase the tax levy, maintain all current full-time employees, have no program cuts, and enhance and add programs where possible. The District will complete its budget by the April 10, 2025, board meeting. The school budget vote and election of two board members will occur on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Recommended actions from the superintendent:

Superintendent Laurrie recommended approval of the following short-term contracts at the board's next regular meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025:

• Ironworker's Local 9 Apprenticeship Fund: Introduction to Welding for the District's Trades Program Students
• Eric Horwitz Life Enrichment Program, LLC for culinary mentor workshops at Abate and Hyde Park Elementary Schools. This program has 122 students ready to start.

Superintendent Laurrie recommended approval of the following resolutions that are up for a vote at the board's next regular meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025:

• RECEIPT OF GIFT FROM TOTALLY BUFFALO CARES - Totally Buffalo Cares donated more than $25,000 to the Niagara Falls City School District students at Abate Elementary, Cataract Elementary, Hyde Park Elementary, and Kalfas Primary Schools. This donation was used to purchase holiday gifts, food, and clothing for the families at those schools.

• ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS FOR THE 2024/2025 STATEWIDE UNIVERSAL FULL-DAY PRE-KINDERGARTEN: The New York State Governor's Office has allocated $289,131 to the Niagara Falls City School District to implement the Statewide Universal Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten (SUFDPK) program. Through the funding of the SUFDPK Grant, the Niagara Falls City School District is slated to service at least 30 children.

• Approval of agreement BOCES to purchase student iPad devices for the District's PreK – second-grade students in an amount not to exceed $1,045,728.72

Superintendent's report

• Congratulations to the seven prep school robotics teams that will be competing at the state championships on March 5, 2025
• Students from Niagara Falls High School (NFHS), North Tonawanda High School, and Niagara Wheatfield High School engaged in fellowship by visiting the Mobile Holocaust Museum of Tolerance that made a stop at Niagara Wheatfield High School. This year marks the third year of a program between the schools to promote understanding and tolerance
• Congratulations to Niagara Falls High School for capturing first place at a recent for environmental summit in Erie County
• Thank you to the District's Director of Facilities Earl Smeal, for securing rock salt for de-icing of parking lots and sidewalks, despite recent shortages
• PowerSchool and/or Experian will contact anyone whose data was breached in the recent cyber security incident with PowerSchool will offer credit monitoring services
• The Black Achievers Awards are returning to Niagara Falls after a hiatus. Dorothy Brundidge, assistant administrator at Bloneva Bond Primary School, will receive the honor of Outstanding Black Achiever. She will be presented by Board member Clara Dunn and sponsored by our Architect Clark, Paterson, Lee (CPL), and the Buffalo Construction Consultants (BCC). Our board member Earl Bass will also be recognized as a Black Achiever, sponsored by Bank on Buffalo. Well-deserved recognition for Mrs. Brundidge and Mr. Bass!
• Congratulations to the NFHS ladies and men's bowling teams. Both are league champions. Best of luck in the sectionals! Congratulations to Coach Frank Novak and the bowling staff on a great job!
• Congratulations to ALL wrestlers who competed for a chance to win at New York State this weekend

The next Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education meeting is Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., Central Office, 630 66th Street, Niagara Falls, N.Y.