Niagara Falls Board of Education meeting summary

(Submitted by the Niagara Falls City School District.)

Prior to the start of the meeting, District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of Orleans/Niagara BOCES (ON BOCES) Dr. Taweepon Farrar BOCES provided an update on BOCES programs.

Dr. Fararr is concentrating on building capacity at ON BOCES, which is one of 37 BOCES across New York State. This BOCES serves 13 component districts, 10 of which are in Niagara County. It serves about 30,000 students. There are two career centers, one is Sanborn, one in Medina.

Fararr said adult education is a growing area at BOCES, as they are working with adults to earn General Education Diplomas (GED), skilled trades training, and health occupations instruction.

With new graduation requirements coming, ON BOCES is working to support component districts.

In addition, BOCES can assist districts by accessing aid for college level courses.

ON BOCES newest undertakings include:

• Early college access
• Home school monitoring
• Administrative interim/coaching/mentoring
• Utilizing an attendance supervisor
• Also, expanded services to include sub reimbursement and public relations.

ON BOCES has expanded its partnerships providing additional space in Niagara-Wheatfield, Lew-Port, Ransomville Learning, and on Tonawanda Creek Road. This additional space will improve the student experience.

Routine Matters

The board of education approved 14 short-term contracts and 18 resolutions including the following:

Short-Term Contracts:

• Enhance Restorative Practices at Hyde Park School
• Curriculum Training for iReady Math for LaSalle Prep School
• Nine short-term contracts for Say Yes NF Saturday Academies

Resolutions:

• Acceptance of $10,575,788 in grant funding

• Approval of Polling Sites for the May 19, 2026, School Board Elections and Budget Vote

• A contract for use of the Niagara Community Center by the district

• A resolution approving a Type II Declaration of an Environmental Quality Review Negative Impact.

The Superintendent also announced:

• Schools will reopen for instruction on January 5, 2026
• Totally Buffalo Cares donated holiday gifts to students at five district elementary schools. The group handed out 500 gifts to children at Cataract alone.
• Congratulations to Abate for putting on an excellent production of Annie, Jr.
• Niagara Falls High School 2022 graduate and current St. Bonaventure University student Tyler White was part of St. Bonaventure’s National College Rugby Championship team
• The Niagara Falls High School DECA Club team recently competed against 700 students from local DECA clubs across Western New York and eight Niagara Falls High School students qualified for the New York State DECA competition

The board closed the meeting in memory of Owen Steed, a beloved NFCSD volunteer, staff member, former Niagara County Legislator, community leader, and friend. Owen’s positive influence on the district and its students will never be forgotten.

The next meeting of the Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education will be on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.