To enhance its commitment to keeping its constituents well-informed, the Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education is providing summaries of its bi-weekly board meetings. Here are the notes from its June 6 meeting.
Presentations
• Seal of Biliteracy — Administrator for Assessment Marcia Capone provided background information on the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. It is a high honor recognizing students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. One of the two languages must be English. Ability is demonstrated through testing, grades, and a culminating project in multiple languages. The City School District of the City of Niagara Falls is proud to announce that nine members of the Class of 2024 have earned this distinction. Superintendent Mark Laurrie and Niagara Falls High School Principal Cheryl Vilardo presented a certificate to each Seal of Biliteracy student: Ala Nagi, Arooj Kynat, Melianis Colazzo-Costillo, Tayeshka Ahmed, Rafay Bawamia, Charity Hosler, Madeline Jarzyniecki, Robinyo Robin and Joshi Hakash.
• Continuum of Niagara Falls High School Alternative (NFHS) Programs — Niagara Falls High School Principal Cheryl Vilardo reviewed the continuum of programs offered to NFHS alternative learners. NFHS has nine alternative path settings available. Each program is based on the child’s needs, and students are placed in the appropriate program. Students are provided with the support and resources they need to flourish and succeed. The system is fluid and students can move from program to program if needed. All students in the alternative program can access sports, school dances, and all activities if they keep up with their academic programs.
New Business
Superintendent Laurrie recommended passage of the following items that are up for a vote at the board’s next regular meeting on June 20.
• Approval of Building-Level School Safety Plans as amended and filing with the New York State Commissioner of Education
• Approval of District Code of Conduct as Amended and filing with the New York State Commissioner of Education
• Approval of Comprehensive District-Wide School Safety Plan as Amended and filing with the New York State Commissioner of Education
Superintendent’s Report
• Congratulations to Rebecca Holody, district administrator for school business services, and Julie Jacklin, budget manager, for their outstanding work on the 2024/25 school year budget. The Niagara Falls City School District budget was approved with 84.3% of the vote, the highest percentage of favorable votes for any school budget in WNY.
• Congratulations to incumbent Board of Education member Nicholas Vilardo and Bradley McLeod on winning five-year terms. Their terms will start in July (after they take the oath of office at the Board of Education Reorganization meeting on July 2.)
Thank you, Jerry Puleo, Carlton Cain, and Portland Jackson, for participating as candidates for the school board.
• Congratulations to the girls’ 4 x 100-meter relay team, which qualified for the New York State Championships: Jhonnea Harris, J’Nysha Cary, T’Mya Jenkins and Jayla Scott. Harris also qualified to compete in the high jump. Also, congratulations to Nick Young, who qualified for the 200-yard dash.
The Niagara Falls High School spring sports teams were all named scholar-athlete teams. To earn the title, 75% of the participants must maintain a grade point average of 90% or higher.
• Class Day is Saturday, June 15. The Class of 2024 parade will start at 10 a.m. (please see the parade route on the district’s and Niagara Falls High School’s websites and social media sites). The parade will conclude with a picnic on the football field. The Class of 2024 Senior Prom will be held on June 21 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, followed by the Post-Prom Party at NFHS.
• On Friday, June 14, NFHS will host the LaSalle Education Club Dinner at 6 p.m. at Niagara Falls High School. Dozens of NFHS students will receive scholarships. Karen Howard, co-president of the Niagara Falls City School District Parent Education Club, will be recognized for the volunteer time she provides to the district parent group each year.
• SUNY Niagara is offering a free college writing class at Bloneva Bond Primary School this summer from July 8 to Aug. 19 for parents whose children attend the Niagara Falls City School District. Free child care will be provided. To register, please contact William Brinson at 716-614-6258 or email wbrinson@niagaracc.suny.edu.
• Superintendent Laurrie requested that the Board consider these pieces of proposed New York State Legislation:
— “Pump the Breaks” is a request to extend the timeline for using E(electronic)-Buses. The request has already been denied, and in August, the District must submit its first report on the NFCSD’s planned use and timeline for E-Busses.
— Proposed legislation to return the teacher rating system from the state back to local control.
— Banning student use of cellular phones during school hours. This bill has passed and is awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s expected signature.
— Legislation to update the Civil Service Exam questions every five years.
— Upgrade the distribution system for absentee ballots.
— A bill requiring a superintendent or board member to sit on every Industrial Development Agency (IDA) board. A representative of a local labor union would also be asked to join the Board,
The next meeting of the City of Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education is June 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Central Office, 630 66th St.
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