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City Schools: Bischoping returns for second stint as interim superintendent

By Howard B. Owens

Scott Bischoping has been named interim superintendent for Batavia City Schools following the resignation of Anibal Soler.

Bischopping was the interim superintendent following the departure of Chris Dailey and preceding Soler's appointment at the start of 2020.

Soler accepted an appointment as superintendent of the Schenectady school district.

"His knowledge and leadership will guide us into the new school year," the district said in a statement.

Trustee who wouldn't vote for Batavia-ND hockey merger says his questions have been answered

By Howard B. Owens

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A Batavia City School District trustee who held up approval of a merger between the Batavia and Notre Dame hockey teams at the district's school board meeting on Thursday afternoon met with the schools' athletic directors and coaches and said he had his questions answered and looks forward to the agreement being on the board's next agenda.

The Batavian has attempted to clarify with John Marucci that his statement means he intends to vote in favor of the merger but he has not responded to two emails.

Three Four other members of the board have responded to emails and said they intend to support the measure. One hasn't responded.

Previously, The Batavian emailed five questions to Marucci about his apparent objections to the merger, trying to clarify his position and didn't get a response until yesterday. He didn't provide answers to the question but did make this statement:

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Just so you know that today at 3:15, I was able to meet with BCSD BOE President Alice Ann Benedict, BCSD AD Mike Bromley and hockey coaches Marc Staley and John Kirkwood. We had a very lengthy and thorough discussion about the proposed merger between Notre Dame and Batavia as it pertains to hockey. I feel very satisfied that I had my questions and concerns answered and look forward to having this item on our agenda for our August 5th BCSD BOE Meeting. 

At last week's meeting, Marucci expressed concern about other schools in the county being eased out of a combined hockey program with Batavia and that once current players from those districts have graduated, students at those schools would have to attend Notre Dame if they wanted to play hockey. He suggested Notre Dame recruits athletic students and that he was concerned the merger wouldn't be fair to Batavia students.

Our questions to Marucci included trying to find out how the merger wouldn't be fair to Batavia students. He didn't answer that question.

At the meeting, he said, "I just want clarification," and, "I'm not trying to be that guy but I guess I'm being that guy."

With two seats vacant on the board due to resignations and one person absent, Marucci's unwillingness to vote to approve the agreement meant there wasn't a quorum, so the board had to table the matter until its Aug. 5 meeting.

The merger would mean Notre Dame, which has won two sectional championships in recent years under Head Coach Marc Staley, and Batavia players would form a single unit.

Last week the schools announced the new team would be known as Batavia United.

Advocates of the merger argue that the merger would allow both schools to have a JV program, which will help produce a more successful program and end the dangerous practice of including JV-aged and -sized kids on varsity rosters.

And yes, students at schools such as Le Roy, Alexander, Oakfield-Alabama, and Pembroke, who want to play hockey in the future, will need to attend a private school such as Notre Dame. Which is how it was for those schools before Batavia, in a bid to increase its hockey numbers seven years ago, accepted those schools into its hockey program.

Since that realignment, Batavia has won 13 games with only two of those wins coming against Section V opponents and no wins against teams with winning records.

The merger is going to get the support of at least three trustees.

Statement from Alice Benedict:

I wholeheartedly support the Batavia Notre Dame Hockey merger. It will help both schools be able to offer hockey opportunities for grades 7 through 12.

Statement from John Reigle:

Thank you for reaching out to me regarding the hockey merger. 

As you are aware we tabled the agenda item at our last school board meeting for some final clarification and questions. It is a big decision for our district and I’m glad our board of education is putting in so much collaborative thought and consideration into the topic. Unfortunately, our athletic director and/or the coaches were unable to attend the last meeting to have more discussion on the topic. However, it is my understanding they were able to meet with our board president and Vice President yesterday to discuss. 

After speaking with some hockey families from both schools, along with learning more of Coach Staley’s & Coach Kirkwood’s goals and intentions for the United program, I am in favor of the merger. I look forward to bringing back a competitive hockey program to our city that the student-athletes, our schools, and our community are proud of. 

Statement from Barbara Bowman:

I am in complete support of the hockey merger because it will be advantageous to BHS and ND students and the community in general.

Newly elected Trustee Jennifer Lendvay did not respond.

UPDATE: Lendvay's statement: 

I am in favor of the merger of the BHS/ND hockey teams and look forward to seeing them play.

Video: Tour of Oakfield-Alabama's $15.3 million capital improvement project

By Howard B. Owens
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The shovels went into the ground at Oakfield-Alabama as soon as the summer break started on a $15.3 million capital improvement project at both the high school/middle school and the elementary school and yesterday Superintendent John Fisgus and a group of contractors gave members of the school board a tour of the work followed by an official groundbreaking ceremony.

The project includes reconstruction of the entry, parking lot, passenger pick-up, and bus lanes at the elementary school. The elementary school is also getting a remodeled cafeteria and kitchen, new main office, nurse's suite, and main entrance. There will also be a new teachers' lounge, remodeled gym with new bleachers.

The schools are also getting new, brightly colored -- blue and gold -- tennis courts.

The HS/MS is getting a remodeled auditorium.

In the fall of 2022, all of the windows of the HS/MS will be replaced and the school will get a new entrance, new atrium, and new main office.

Photo: Four dads from the Class of 1991 in Elba and four daughters from the Class of 2021

By Howard B. Owens

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Among the highlights of Elba's graduation, this past weekend were four fathers from the Class of 1991 (that's 30 years ago for those of you counting) who shared in watching their daughters graduate with the rest of the Class of 2021.

Michael Augello, school board president, handed a diploma to his daughter Taylor.

Pictured from left: Madison Harrington and her father Aaron. Miah Werth and her father Steve. Leah Bezon and her dad Steven, and Taylor Augello and her dad Michael.

Photo by Laura Luft.

Photos: Oakfield-Alabama graduates its 2021 class

By Howard B. Owens

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Oakfield-Alabama held its 2021 graduation ceremony on Friday.

Above, Karly Smith delivers her Valedictorian speech.

Zachary Hall, below, was the Salutatorian.

Photos by Kristen Smith.

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Batavia Middle School celebrates its Honor Society members at Van Detta Stadium

By Howard B. Owens

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Students at Batavia Middle School who have been accepted in to the Honor Society were celebrated in a ceremony at Van Detta Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

From Ashley John Grillo, principal, Batavia Middle School:

Seventh grade 2021 Batavia Middle School Honor Society inductees

Brandon Currier, Cole Davis, Payton Dickinson, Elijah Fancher, Emma Godfrey, Gianna Grillo, Landon Hamilton, Kyleigh Kabel, Kailyn Lee, Harold Mellander, Sydney Parker, Gretchen Redder, Ella Shamp, Helaina Staley, Drew Stevens, Gianna Strollo, Isaac Varland

Seventh grade students who were inducted virtually last year as seventh graders

Ava Anderson, Cameron Baiocco, Kylee Brennan, Brooke Callahan, Lila Callan, Jeremiah Childs, Allison Debo, Maddison Dennis, Kahler Evans, Roan Finn, Will Fulton, Grant Gahagan, Samuel Grillo, Faith Guiste, Ava Higgins, Jakob Hutchins, Jameson Motyka, Mia Pellegrino, Jake Phillips, Kayla Richenburg, Campbell Riley, Bridget Taggert, Trevor Tryon, Alyssa Turner, Madilyn Underhill, Ava Wierda, Allyson Wormley, Kelsey Kirkwood

Eighth grade 2021 Batavia Middle School Honor Society inductees  

Madeline Bellamy, Aubrey Bisher, Bronx Buccholz, Yannis Ciornei, Isabella DeVay, Nicole Doeringer, Lillian Emerson, Emerson Fitch, Brady Mazur, Alexandra Morrill, Jayla Odom, Samuel Pies, Lylianalynn Santos-Baez, Andrew Smith, Gavynn Trippany, Payton Vickery

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Photos: Field Day at Jackson Primary

By Howard B. Owens

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With field trips canceled this school year because of COVID-19 restrictions, the staff at Jackson Primary today organized a "Field Day" for the students.

Besides a visit for Deputy Andrew Mullen with K-9 "Frankie" and City fire, activities for the kids include carnival games, dance, rock painting, parachute, and moving-up certificates.

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Soler 'takes stock' of City Schools accomplishments since start of pandemic

By Howard B. Owens

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At a time when politics sometimes obscure the good work people do, Superintendent Anibal Soler "took stock" Monday night of all the things parents students, staff, administrators and school board members accomplished during the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of his regular superintendent's update, Soler ran through a list of positive things that have taken place in the district since the pandemic rolled into Genesee County 15 months ago.

"Sometimes we get lost in the current events, the news articles, this whole thing we can’t really control, people question our integrity, our commitment to kids because we may not be extreme about masks or anything of that nature," Soler said to open his remarks.

In no particular order, he said:

  • Though the district didn't have to, schools reopened 10 weeks ago to full, in-class learning five days a week. "We could have taken the easy route," Soler said.
  • The school board approved a budget with zero impact to taxpayers in "a very tough year."
  • The district fed 150,000 meals to district families.
  • The district installed 200 WiFi hotspots so students without internet access can study at home.
  • "Parents were subject to constant, evolving guidance from the state and an ever-changing approach to learning from us," Soler said. "We know this hasn't been an easy year. They've stayed committed to us, committed to their kids, and their kids have been resilient. They rarely complain about any of the things we ask them to do." He added, "I want to thank our parents for always encouraging their kids to be resilient but I also want to thank our kids for stepping up and doing everything we asked like social distancing in the cafeteria, sitting at desks the whole time, you've got to walk with your mask on, one person at a time in the bathroom, a variety of things."
  • The district provided at-home technology to pre-K students so students didn't need to bring technology back and forth from home to school.
  • The district opened a brand-new playground at Jackson School "during a pandemic," he noted.
  • Students in Special Education were coming to school campuses five days a week from the start of the pandemic.
  • Plans are in place for a prom and graduation.

It hasn't been an easy year but the best barometer for how the district has performed, he said, is what the kids say.

"Most of them say we did a pretty good job with what we had to work with," Soler said.

"This is a very politically divided time," he added. "If we stay grounded on what we do for children we can never go wrong."

At the start of his update, Soler announced that two principals in the district have taken new jobs elsewhere.

Ashley John Grillo will be leaving Batavia Middle School to become principal of the Junior-Senior HS in Byron-Bergen.

Amanda Cook is leaving John Kennedy to become director of curriculum in Pavilion.

Nate Korzelius will become interim principal at BMS. Soler said Korzelius will work on integrating high-school-credit courses into the offerings at BMS and that the change will open more opportunities for those students who participate to start Genesee Community College studies while in high school.

Cecere resigns from city schools board

By Howard B. Owens

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Citing increased work and personal commitments, Peter Cecere has resigned his seat on the Batavia City School District Board of Trustees.

Board President Alice Ann Benedict read Cecere's resignation letter before the board voted unanimously to accept his resignation.

Cecere said he came to the decision after many hours of deep thought.

"These many years I have been involved have been very, very rewarding," Cecere said. "It seems like 2013 was just a few minutes ago. I have enjoyed serving the parents, teachers, and administrators of this vibrant community. But most importantly I have enjoyed being an advocate for the incredible children of this district."

Before the vote, Cecere thanked his fellow board members for their friendship during his time on the board and said increased work commitments along with his desire to spend more time coaching soccer contributed to his decision to resign.

He said he felt to remain on the board he needed to give it his full commitment and with these changes in his life, that was no longer possible.

Photo: Screen capture from video of last night's meeting. Superintendent Anibal Soler presented Cecere with a certificate and a framed collection of drawings of the district schools.

Video: Batavia parents and students protest mask policy at Upton Monument

By Howard B. Owens
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Batavia parents and students protest mask policy at Upton Monument.

Notre Dame High School 67th Graduation

By Steve Ognibene

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On Sunday, at Resurrection Parish, Notre Dame High School held its 67th commencement exercises for the Class of 2021. 

Principal Wade Bianco and Assistant Principal Michael Rapone presented senior awards, academic honors, scholarships and diplomas. 

Valedictorian Amanda Mary Bergman addressed the 2021 class. Class President Bernard Skalny presented the senior class gift.

Anne Del Plato received an honorary diploma from the Class of 1971 honoring their 50th anniversary. Eric Ricks Jr. provided concluding remarks.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

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Principal Wade Bianco

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Valedicatorian Amanda Mary Bergman

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Class President Bernard Skalny

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Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Michael Rapone

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Anne Del Plato recieivng the honorary diploma Class of 1971.

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Concluding remarks, Eric Ricks Jr. 

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Cuomo announces school districts can allow students go without masks outdoors, but not indoors

By Press Release

Press release:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today, June 7, announced that school districts can choose to lift the requirement that their students must wear masks outdoors. Guidance on mask use indoors remains in place.

This change aligns New York State's guidance on schools with CDC guidance on summer camps, where even unvaccinated students are not currently required to wear masks outdoors.

"The numbers show that the risk of transmission by children is extremely low, especially in this state, which has an extremely low positivity rate," Governor Cuomo said. "We spoke with the CDC, and since they're not going to change their guidance for several weeks in New York State, we're going to modify the CDC guidance and allow schools to choose no mask outside for children.

"We'll leave that up to the local school district and we spoke to the CDC, which has no objection. It's very important that people understand the logic between these decisions and that they're rational and based on the science and the data. We have a disconnect right now between the school guidance and the camp guidance, and it's important to rectify it because if people don't think the rules are logical, then they're not going to want to follow the rules."

On May 24, Governor Cuomo announced that based on the current COVID-19 trajectory, all New York State schools will reopen for full in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year beginning in September.

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Also today, Governor Cuomo announced that when New York State reaches 70 percent vaccinated, he will remove COVID restrictions and guidance (except for certain settings such as healthcare, congregate settings, schools and mass transit). 

Local high schools planning graduations as close to normal as possible under state COVID guidelines

By Howard B. Owens

Unlike a year ago, when coronavirus-pandemic-related restrictions meant families showed up to football fields, school parking lots, and drive-in theaters in cars to witness student graduation, local school districts this year are trying to work within less strict COVID-19 guidelines to give students and families fairly traditional graduation ceremonies.

They will take place on school lawns, football fields and in auditoriums.

Some schools are even planning proms for their seniors.

Here is what the districts are planning:

Alexander:

  • Prom: According to Superintendent Jared Taft, the students discussed their ability to hold a prom and abide by NYS Health Department guidelines and decided there was really no interest in planning a prom after considering having seniors and dates arrive at staggered times and dancing socially distanced with masks on.
  • Graduation: "We are planning graduation to take place similar to that of a sports event following the current guidelines for gatherings," Taft said, noting that guidelines may change by the date of the graduation ceremony. 

Batavia:

  • Prom: There will be a prom at Van Detta Stadium from 7 to 11 p.m., June 19. There will be a 40 X 100 tent for dining and a 20 X 40 tent for dancing. Students will attend in predetermined groups of 10. They will dine with that same group of 10 and enter the dancing tent in that group of 10. Outside of the tents, students can mingle with other guests.
  • Graduation: The ceremony will be on June 26 at Van Detta Stadium at 10:30 a.m. Attendees will be required to either show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. There will be a rapid test available from 7 to 9 a.m. on the day of the ceremony. Graduates can invite five guests. The graduation will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend. In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved to 5 p.m. that day and if there is rain at 5 p.m., the ceremony will be moved to 10:30 a.m., Sunday.

Byron-Bergen:

  • Prom and graduation: Patrick McGee, the high school principal who becomes superintendent on July 1, said the school is still in the process of planning. "When these events take place, we will ensure adherence to all health and safety guidelines set forth by the NYSDOH," he said.

Elba:

  • Prom: Elba will hold its prom at the Park Place Event Center at Batavia Downs. "They were wonderful to work with and wanted to collaborate with us to support our students with this special event," said Superintendent Ned Dale. "We will follow their prescribed guidance. Our staff will be on hand to supervise. Originally, we were planning on having the event on campus and outdoors until the recent changes in guidance that expanded the capacity indoors. We will follow the guidance at the time of this event."
  • Graduation: Elba will hold its graduation at 7 p.m., June 25 on the high school campus law. "We have plenty of room to spread out on the campus lawn," Dale said. "As of today, we will ask that everyone is masked. However, I don't know where NYS DOH will be in six weeks with more guidance after hearing the CDC changes today about masks and vaccinated individuals. We will follow the guidance at the time of this event."

Le Roy:

  • Prom: Le Roy is planning a junior/senior prom for June 5 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Le Royan at Mercy Grove.
  • Graduation: Outside at Hartwood Park at 11 a.m., June 26. Rain times will be later in the day, June 26, or, if necessary, at 11 a.m., June 27.

Notre Dame:

  • Prom: We didn't receive any information on plans for a prom.
  • Graduation: Graduation along with a mass will be held at 2 p.m., June 6, at Resurrection Church. The school has created a seating chart for families attending the graduation. Each grad will be allowed to invite six guests. Guests who do not live with the graduate will sit in rows designated "guest seating." Graduates must turn in a guest list to assist in checking in attendees. Attendees must wear a mask until seated. Vaccinated attendees can remove their masks once seated.

Oakfield-Alabama:

  • Prom: The prom will be held on June 5 at the Arrowhead Golf Club at the Timberlodge facility. Superintendent John Fisgus said: "Timberlodge has to follow the state guidelines for events, which is not to exceed 250-person capacity for an indoor event (with no testing) or if they do, everyone needs a negative COVID test (72 hours before) or proof of vaccination (two weeks from last shot). We will NOT exceed the 250-person capacity for our prom, so our students are good to go over there with no testing or proof of vaccination. Table assignments have already been created, and we will abide by what Timberlodge directs us to do (i.e., masking, cohorts dancing in certain areas, etc.)."
  • Graduation: O-A's graduation will be at 10 a.m., June 19, in the football stadium. Fisgus said, "For outdoor events, we will not exceed the 500-person capacity; therefore, our graduates and guests attending will not need to provide a negative COVID test or show proof of vaccination. Each graduate can invite eight guests (60 seniors graduating), and since we will have the seniors in a different location than the guests (bleachers vs. football field/track area), they are not considered part of the 500 capacity (per the guidance from May 3). We will socially distance each family on the field/track and have our usual ceremony, with fireworks!"

Pavilion:

  • Prom: There will be no school-sponsored prom; however, parents and students are planning a private event.
  • Graduation: The plans are being finalized. Superintendent Mary Kate Hoffman said, "The plan is to have an outdoor ceremony on our soccer field/track. We are considering running two identical ceremonies where half of the families would attend one or the other. This would allow each graduating senior to have more family members in attendance. We have a graduation committee working on decorations and special additions to the program to make this a memorable event."

Pembroke:

Superintendent Matthew Calderon said, "The state provided specific guidance for proms and graduations, which we will be adhering to. In both cases, we will stay under the capacity limits identified so that we do not need to require testing. The standard expectations for mask-wearing and social distancing we be in place.

Adding, "Both events will be relatively normal/traditional, with the exception of the fact that we need to reduce the numbers of tickets as compared to normal to stay under the capacity limits."

  • Prom: Calderon -- "Our prom took place this past Saturday, and my understanding is that everyone had a great time. Initially, the organizers were planning to sell a limited number of tickets to stay under the 100-indoor capacity limit, but when the indoor capacity increased to 250, every junior and senior that wanted to go was going to be able. By sheer happenstance, it turned out that there were 93 students and seven adult chaperones that attended. Exactly 100 anyway, so we would have ended up OK either way. We are so thankful to have been open for in-person learning every day five-days-a-week, and the prom was the cherry on top for our seniors!"
  • Graduation: The graduation will be held in the school's auditorium.

School district election results 2021

By Howard B. Owens

Alexander

  • Budget, passed 248-161
  • Proposition #2, bus purchases, passed 289-118
  • Proposition #3, reserve fund, passed 292-117
  • Proposition #4, reserve fund, passed 280-125
  • Proposition #5, school bus reserve fund, 278-126
  • Board election: One five-year term, Lindsay Bessey, 305; Josselyn Borowiec, 91.

Batavia

  • Budget, passed 490-104
  • Energy performance contract, passed 480-115
  • Student ex-officio, non-voting board member, passed 558-38
  • School board, vote for three: John Reigle, 471; Brenda Good, 448, Jennifer Lendvay, 461; Shawna Murphy, 284.

Byron-Bergen

  • Budget, passed 242-69
  • Proposition #2, bus purchase, passed 240-145
  • School board election: William Forsyth, 291; Debra List, 261.

Elba

  • Budget, passed 105-27
  • Proposition #2, capital reserve fund, passed 103-29
  • Proposition #3, bus purchase, passed 108-24
  • Board election, elect one: Michael Hare, 118.

Le Roy

  • Budget, passed 396-124
  • Proposition #2, bus and vehicle purchase, passed 122-93
  • Proposition #3, library budget, passed 425-93
  • School board election, vote for three: Lucas Weaver, 391; William Mackenzie, 390; Christine Dowell, 305; Darcy Porter, 197.
  • Library trustee election: Mary Young-Murray, 482.

Oakfield-Alabama

  • Budget, passed 282-58
  • Proposition #2, reserve fund, passed 271-61
  • School board election, vote for two: Maria Thompson, 249; Jeff Hyde, 146; Lorna Klotzbach, 140; Timothy Edgeton, 104.

Pavilion

  • Budget, passed 169-23
  • School board election, Jeff Finch, 149.

Pembroke

  • Budget, passed 236-76
  • Proposition #2, bus purchases, passed 238-73
  • Proposition #3, capital project, passed 238-73
  • School board election, one vacancy, no candidates. Dan Lang received 25 write-in votes but is declining the seat. The Board of Trustees will appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the next election.
  • Corfu Public Library, Jason Long and Patrick Weissend were elected.

School district elections slated for Tuesday

By Howard B. Owens

Voters from throughout Genesee County are asked to go to the polls on Tuesday and vote on school district budgets and school board candidates.

Here is a summary of what is on the ballot and links for additional information for each district.

Alexander

  • Budget: $19,175,475 for 2021-22, an increase of $635,217 from this school year.
  • The program budget is $14,015,382 and the administration budget is $2,757,315.
  • Tax levy: $5,088,006 (no change from 2020-21).
  • Propositions on the ballot also include bus purchases at a cost of $318,085; the purchase of computers for $96,870 using the existing 2018 equipment reserve fund; establishing a capital reserve fund; and, establishing a school bus reserve fund. 
  • There are two candidates for the school board, Josselyn Borowiec and Lindsay Bessey.
  • There is more information about the budget and the election in the district's budget newsletter. Click here for the PDF.

Batavia

  • Budget: $52,096,661, an increase of $625,935 over the current year.
  • Tax levy: $19,493,958 (no change).
  • The program budget is $39,021798 and the administration budget is $5,186,493. (Figures corrected from original post.)
  • Ballot propositions include additional state aid for an energy performance contract and renewal of the provision that allows the student ex-officio board member to attend board meetings in a non-voting role.
  • There are three board seats up for election and four candidates. They are: John Reigle, Brenda Good, Jennifer Lendvay, and Shawna Murphy.
  • There is more information in the district's budget newsletter. Click here.

Byron-Bergen

  • Budget: $24,991,065, an increase of $391,265 from this school year.
  • The program budget is $17,260,368 and the administrative budget is $2,318,402.
  • Tax levy: $9,024,961 (no change from 2020-21).
  • There is a school bus proposition on the ballot.
  • More information the district's budget is on the district website.

Elba

  • Budget: $10,942,533, an increase of $673,211 over the current year.
  • The program budget is $7,926,431 and the administration budget is $1,253,898.
  • Tax levy: $3,204,487, up $61,292 from the current levy. The estimated tax rate per thousand is $19.8104. The current rate per thousand is $20.4016.
  • Propositions include establishing a general capital reserve fund and expend up to $112,000 from the existing bus and vehicle replacement fund for a bus and a van.
  • Michael Hare is the lone candidate on the ballot. 
  • There is more information in the district's budget newsletter. Click here.

 Le Roy

  • Budget: $26,869,288, an increase of $534,800 over the current year.
  • The program budget is $13,602,008 and the administration budget is 4,072,951. 
  • Tax levy: $10,597,025, an of $130,924 over the current year. The estimated is $23.11.
  • Propositions include one on school bus purchases and the Woodward Library budget.
  • There are three trustee seats up for election and four candidates, Darcy Porter, Christine Dowell, William MacKenzie, and Lucas Weaver. 
  • There is more information in the district's budget newsletter. Click here.

Oakfield-Alabama

  • Budget: $21,356,442, an increase of $232,696 in the current year.
  • The program budget is : $14,824,207 and the administration budget is $2,361,695 (down $53,868 from the current year).
  • Tax levy: $5,416,941, an increase of $103,105.
  • Propositions on the ballot include establishing a new capital reserve fund.
  • There are two seats on the board of trustees up for election and four candidates, Timothy Edgerton, Jeffrey Hyde, Lorna Klotzbach, and Maria Thompson. 
  • There is more information in the district's budget newsletter. Click here.

Pavilion

  • Budget: $17,576,661, a decrease in spending from the current year of $107,521.
  • The program budget is $13,327,296 and the administration budget is $2,302,963.
  • Tax levy: $5,642,520, a decrease of $27,361.
  • Propositions include creating a school district public library and electing a library board of trustees.
  • There is one open seat and one candidate for that seat, Jeff Finch.
  • There is more information in the district's budget newsletter. Click here.

Pembroke

  • Budget: $24,599,082, an increase of $919,560 over the current year.
  • The program budget is $17,451,901. The administration budget is $2,519,239.
  • Tax levy: $8,481,399, an increase of $165,046 over the current year. The projected tax rate is $19.40.
  • Propositions on the ballot include authorization to purchase school buses and a capital project.
  • There is more information in the district's budget newsletter. Click here.

VIDEO: Ribbon cutting for new playground at Jackson School

By Howard B. Owens
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For the first time today, students at Jackson School got to play on their new playground, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

BHS finalizing plans for graduation ceremony at Van Detta

By Howard B. Owens

There will likely be a traditional graduation ceremony for the seniors of Batavia High School but it will comply with the state's COVID-19 guidelines, according to Superintendent Anibal Soler.

The plans for the ceremony are in development in cooperation with students and families, Soler said.

The June 26 ceremony will be held at Van Detta Stadium and each graduate will be allowed four guests. Because of state guidelines for events attended by more than 200 people, attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

Students and families that opt out of the requirements will be able to participate in what Soler called a "micro-ceremony."  

"Every student will get their moment of getting their diploma," Soler told the school board on Monday evening.

Plans are also being finalized for a senior prom with attendance limited to less than 200 people and held outdoors. Under state guidelines, that event won't require proof of vaccination or a negative test.

BMS staff member named state's Counselor of the Year

By Howard B. Owens

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Nicole Mayers, a Batavia Middle School counselor, has been selected by the NYS School Counselor Association as the state's Counselor of the Year.

Mayers has been a school counselor for 16 years and worked at BMS for eight years.  

Currently, her focus is on school attendance, academic achievement, and providing social-emotional skills to students.

She was instrumental, according to information released by the school district, in implementing a daily social-emotional learning program for middle school students. Students are given daily SEL prompts that officials say have been beneficial during the coronavirus pandemic.

She is a certified trauma illness and grief responder.

Rose Mary Christian suggests trustees reduce salaries to cut school spending

By Howard B. Owens

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Sixth Ward Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian spoke up Monday at the city schools board of trustees meeting on behalf, she said, of her constituents, decrying the high cost of education in an age of tighter household budgets.

"I really don't have any solution," Christian said near the end of her remarks. "I'm asking you to seriously think about the people who live in this community and are having a hard time right now."

She noted that assessments have gone up throughout the city and that is putting more of a squeeze on some households.

She asked if the board considered reducing salaries for teachers and other staff members.

"Everything is escalating and it's hurting everyone, even you," she said.

She also asked that Sacred Heart once again be used as a polling station in school district elections.

On May 8, voters will chose among four candidates for three positions on the school board and whether to approve a $661 spending plan for the district for 2021-22, an increase of $625,935 from the current year.

The proposed tax levy (the aggregated of all property taxes collected in the school tax) is $19,493,958, exactly as it is in the current year.  

State and federal aid covers most of the rest of the district's spending.

Photo: Still from video of Monday's meeting.

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