School Board honors alumni

Niagara Falls City School District Superintendent Mark Laurrie unveiled the members of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Class: Jawdat Mustafa, M.D., Niagara Falls High School Class of 2011; Fritz Proctor, Niagara Falls High School Class of 2015, and Cindy Di Laura Devore, M.D. Niagara Falls High School Class of 1965 on May 8.

The Board of Education recognized Dr. Mustafa for his dedication to the well-being of the Niagara Falls community. He recently joined the medical staff of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC). His return to Niagara Falls symbolizes the impact of investing in local talent. Dr. Mustafa’s ambition was always to improve the health and well-being of the residents of his hometown, with a particular dedication to underserved populations.

The board bestowed distinguished alumni honors on Mr. Proctor for his outstanding contributions to the world of art and his huge social media presence. He currently has nine million followers on TikTok, one million followers on YouTube, and over 250,000 followers on Instagram. His exhibits have been popular worldwide, and he has given many solo and group shows. Currently, he lives in Boston, MA, where he paints from his studio located in his home. Mr. Proctor worked on some of the street artwork in Niagara Falls’ Art Alley, a gallery of murals in the city.

The board honored Dr. Devore for excellence in the field of medicine. Dr. Devore is a pediatrician who specializes in school health and sports medicine. She served as chair of the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on School Health and as a member of the Academy’s Leadership Forum, an organization of pediatricians. Dr. Devore received national recognition from the American Academy of Pediatrics for distinguished service and dedication to the mission and goals of the Academy for her work in school health. She also received New York State recognition for distinguished service to high school athletics. Devore is a volunteer first responder for the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps.

May 15 agenda

Superintendent Laurrie reviewed the agenda for the May 15, 2025, board meeting. A few highlights: a vote on the acceptance of funds for the 2024/2025 Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA) Title I School Improvement Planning Grant; voting on six short-term contracts.

Public Hearing on District School Safety Plans and Code of Conduct

Administrator for Human Resources Maria Massaro, reviewed updates to the District Safety Plan:

• Language added for the NFHS Big Picture Program
• Implementation of the Sandy Hook Reporting System (a free, anonymous, student reporting system for a potential mental health or safety crisis)
• Language added to prohibit social media content on any platform during school time
• Cyberbullying includes direct messaging (ex., TEAMS chats)

The Code of Conduct will be expanded once the district receives the guidelines for the upcoming cellphone ban. Superintendent Laurrie shared his review of items that the board will be responsible for once the cellphone ban legislation passes:

• Adopting a written policy prohibiting electronic devices during the school day on school property
• The policy must include one or more storage methods for cellphones
• Exceptions to the policy: permission of a teacher, principal, or the district for authorized use, health care reasons, in the event of an emergency, or for translation services
• Policy must be completed by August 1, 2025
• The board must issue a report annually about the enforcement of the cellphone ban

Public Hearing on proposed 2025 – 2026 school budget

NFCSD Budget Manager Julie Jacklin presented the proposed 2025 – 2026 school budget. The highlights include:

• No increase in the tax levy
• No full-time employee cuts
• No programs have been eliminated or reduced
• The public will vote to approve or disapprove of the $202,840,136 budget on May 20, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at all usual voting locations

Superintendent’s Report

• Thirteen Niagara Falls High School (NFHS) students will serve as poll workers for the 2025 Board and Budget vote
• Gaskill Prep has started a new Bike Repair Club for students. GObike Buffalo donated the bikes and parts. When their projects are complete, GObike Buffalo donates a new bike, helmet, lights, a lock and a bell
• Congratulations to the 832 NFHS students who made the honor roll (with a grade average of 90% or higher) for the 30-week marking period
• May 10 – 15, 2025, eight LaSalle Prep School students will travel to Dallas for the World Robotics Championships. They are:

Kylie Skowronek

Arianna Kessler

Liliana Esposito

Emily Masker

Andrew Chase

Blake Copelin

Rylin Glenn

Michael Markiewicz

• The New York State Office of Early Learning audited the NFCSD’s PreK program. The audit was outstanding, with no major corrections needed
• Due to the efforts of NFCSD Board of Education President Russell Petrozzi, the district will sign an agreement with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization of volunteers who construct beds for children who do not have a bed of their own. The beds will be distributed through the Bloneva Bond Primary Family Support Center
• Congratulations to Board of Education Member Clara Dunn, who received a Board of Education Excellence Award and a Board of Education Achievement Award for her continuing education on board membership from the New York Boards Association (NYSBA)
• The district is working with the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the State Department of Health (DOH) to address public concerns over emissions from the Goodyear Plant on 56th Street. Every day, the NFCSD monitors school building filters, monitors building exteriors, and conducts independent testing for emissions. An independent study is being conducted on the emissions for the district, and the results will be available shortly and will be shared. The DEC has established a website where the public can ask questions: http://www.goodyeartireandrubber/NYSDEC.gov
• The DOH has established a phone number to call with questions – (718) 402-7800
• Thank you to our nurses in recognition of School Nurses Week, May 6 - May 12, 2025
• Thank you to our teachers for the complex job they do. Teacher Appreciation Week was May 5 - May 9, 2025
• The district will introduce its new NFHS student board member at its meeting on May 15. 2025

The next meeting of the Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the district administration building, 630 66th Street.