School Boad candidates mostly agree

Niagara Community Information Group stepped in again for the dying Niagara Gazette and hosted a school board candidates’ night Tuesday at Niagara Falls Library

NCIG is a grassroots nonprofit filling the void left by the soon-to-die subsidiary of the Alabama State Teachers’ Retirement fund.

Incumbents Earl Bass and Rob Bilson were joined on stage by challengers Michael Barksdale and Jay Zona.

Chavonne Ray and Kristen Grandinetti were both unable to attend. Jocklyn Pryor attended but was not present. She chose not to join fellow candidates on the stage and left halfway through because she did not like the questions presented to the candidates before the forum.

Dr. Tina Schultz moderated the first part of the event because a crash on the north Grand Island bridge caused Terrence Heard to be late.

School Board members Jim Cancemi and Russ Petrozzi were in attendance as was Board President Anthony Peretto.

Much discussion during the evening focused on evaluating the superintendent and budget.

Zona, from the start focused on a reality. While many citizens seem concerned about city government with its $100 million budget, a stark minority ever utters a peep about the $200 million school budget in a district serving 6,000 children.

Bilson, Barksdale and Zona all have children in the school district. Bass said he hopes to one day and described himself as a brand ambassador for the city. All four candidates list Niagara Falls High School as their alma mater.

Many of the answers the candidates shared were remarkably similar. For example, on measuring student achievement all suggested graduation rates matter. Bilson and Bass parroted the administration line, focusing on how things have improved rather than discussing how the district remains one of the lowest ranked statewide in academic achievement.

A subject that may have shocked the audience but not the panel who had the questions ahead of time was the topic of a special education plan.

That plan, mandated by the stated education department, accounts for $38.7 million of the district budget but was not filed from 2017/18 until 2026.

Bilson and Bass both apologized and said it continued on their watch as board members even if it did start during covid.

Zona said in the system now in place, an assistant superintendent, Cheryl Vilardo. Bilson said placing Vilardo in charge was how the district addressed the problem.

Barksdale talked about the vital importance of the issue since one of ever 4 families to which he has spoken has a special needs child.

A question about using fund balance to make ends meet came from the failing Gazette, asking how using fund balance could be “not a sustainable plan” while also “not a crisis.”

Bass addressed it directly, noting that in the past, during his tenure, the balance was as low as $12 million. Currently it is projected at $48 million even after using $4 million to make ends meet this year. Bass noted that, in a subject being litigated, the state is $60 million behind in funding the district.

Voting is Tuesday.