batavia

Sheds, Shacks and Shelter is raffling off a shed at noon on Friday Oct. 26 at the Genesee Farmers Market in the Batavia Downs parking lot. Tickets are $2 each. The money will be donated to a local non-profit.

Tickets can be bought at the farmers market, Movies in Motion, CPR, Benny's Barber Shop and the farmers market. The winner gets $500 cash or the shed, delivered.

Some teenagers reportedly took a gun, a "38 Special," out of a vehicle in the parking lot by the Verizon Store in the Tops plaza, according to a caller to dispatch, and another caller reports that man in a blue truck in the parking lot of Batavia Downs is striking someone and yelling about them taking a weapon out of a vehicle. Law enforcement is trying to sort it out now.

The Tonawanda Creek is a tremendous natural resource, according to Elizabeth Bentley-Huber, and it should be kept clean.

Residents dumping pollutants into storm drains isn't as much of an issue as it once was, but Bentley-Huber, along with other members of the Tonawanda Creek Watershed Committee, want to promote the idea that our neighborhoods are linked to the creek.

"One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that the water is treated between that drain and the creek," said Bentley-Huber, who is a district technician for the Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District. "Whatever pollutants and chemicals it picks up are directly washed right into the creek."

To help promote the idea that we shouldn't dump or wash chemicals into the drains, the committee has purchased through a soil and water conservation district grant, a thousand medallions to place on storm drains.

Committee members are going out each Saturday as volunteers, weather permitting, and affixing the medallions to storm drains.

Bentley-Huber said the creek could really become a bigger part of our community, an attraction for people looking for outdoor recreation.

One of the biggest problems is clearing out the 43-mile stretch (11 miles in a straight line) of creek between Attica and Batavia. Log jams on the long, flat stretch can be a big problem, especially for boaters.

"That’s a lot of nice creek," she said. "It could be open for boating, and with the economy the way it is, people are looking for more inexpensive recreation.  Boating, canoeing or kayaking on the Tonawanda would be very nice."

District Improvement Plans Shared
As noted by Superintendent of Schools Margaret Puzio at previous Board meetings, the District did not meet New York State’s proficiency benchmarks for one subgroup of students and, as a result, has been identified as a Focus District which is required to choose at least one school on which to focus efforts toward improvement. Subgroups are groups of at least 30 students who share commonalities of race, ethnicity, economical disadvantage, disability, or of being English language learners. Because the Middle School has the greatest number of students in the specified subgroup identified by the State, it was chosen as the Focus School. Mrs. Puzio emphasized that the three-year Focus District process presents an opportunity to concentrate on closing the gap between the performance of all students and students who are members of sub-groups.  Therefore, efforts toward improvement will be district-wide in their scope and will address the needs of all students who are not yet proficient. 

Mrs. Puzio and Batavia Middle School Principal Sandy Griffin presented information about the three-year plans to the Board.

   In order to be removed from the list of Focus Districts, schools must meet all the participation requirements in English language arts (ELA) and math for all accountability groups, have a combined Performance Index, or PI, (a value from 0-200, with 0 meaning that no students are meeting standards and with 200 meaning that all students are exceeding standards) in ELA and mathematics for the identified subgroup that exceeds the statewide benchmark for two consecutive years, achieve a combined PI in ELA and math in grades 3-12 of 122 during those two consecutive years, and have no other subgroup’s PI fall below the statewide benchmark.

More after the jump (click on the headline):

   By reviewing testing data, utilizing needs assessments, and examining recommendations, administrators and teachers have been working to create two plans that identify areas of need as well as programs and activities to help increase student achievement: a District Comprehensive Improvement Plan and a School Comprehensive Education Plan. As required by the State, these plans must be collaboratively developed and approved by the Board of Education before being sent to the State for approval. Additionally, the plan is built around six tenets identified in the State Education Department’s Diagnostic Tool for School and District Effectiveness as aligning with research-based proven practices of effective schools. The six tenets, which were identified by a diverse group of experts in the field of education and research, include: 1) District Leadership and Capacity, 2) School Leader Practices and Decisions, 3) Curriculum Development and Support, 4) Teacher Practices and Decisions, 5) Student Social and Emotional Developmental Health, and 6) Family and Community Engagement.

   Consequently, our district’s plan is built around three main ideas: improve initial teaching; create strong interim assessments and data review systems to ensure that students are on target, and individualize interventions. For improving initial teaching, the goals are to ensure that the curriculum is aligned to the more rigorous Common Core Learning Standards, to identify and provide professional development where it is most needed, to assist teachers in developing new materials, and to purchase needed resources. In creating and reviewing data, the goals are to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery, to solicit teacher feedback, and to set up a regular cycle of data analysis meetings for honing instructional strategies. In individualizing interventions, the plan calls for utilizing strategies that proved effective in raising literacy scores in the District,  such as increasing time spent on learning tasks, using math software that assesses student’s level of proficiency then provides programs to build that individual’s skills and alerts teachers automatically if skill development  in any particular area is not occurring.

   By the end of the 2012-13 school year, the District will have participated in a site visit by a NYSED Integrated Intervention Team, and the results will form the basis of the district’s 2013-14 plans.

Board Committee Reports

Steve Mountain reported on the Buildings and Grounds committee…

• The date for closing the sale of the Administration Building has not yet been set. The IT department is in the process of moving all its operations out of the Administration Building to the High School, with completion expected by the end of the 2012 Thanksgiving break.
• The committee continues to discuss capital needs, with a report about capital improvements on the Richmond Library roof ready for review. In regard to the library, the committee is discussing the possibility of securing grants designated for the preservation and repair of historic buildings, of which the library is one. In order to pursue grants, voters would need to approve the project first.
• A generic lease agreement for the Robert Morris building was reviewed and approved; specific leasing arrangements will need to come before the Board for approval.

Pat Burk reported on the Legislative Committee, noting that the School Boards convention is this week and he will be taking our Board of Education members’ concerns and priorities to the legislative committee during that portion of the convention.

Amy Barone reported on the Safety Committee, noting that a flu clinic was held for all District staff and their families, and that the committee is developing a webpage on the District’s website for communicating its activities and meetings.

Phil Ricci reported for the Public Relations Committee, noting that the group had an interview with a writer from the NYS School Boards Association publication, On Board. The group continues to explore ways to expand and experiment with the use of social media, and has approved the use of interns for helping to expand news coverage.

Gail Stevens, reporting back from the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership’s Board, noted that their legislative committee, at her suggestion, used pictures comparing Robert Morris pictures - one from last year with students and one from this year with an empty playground - to emphasize the fiscal difficulties faced by school districts. In addition, the Comptroller’s Office is scheduled to provide a list of districts that are in fiscal distress and in danger of becoming insolvent within the next few years.

Batavia High School News

Student Ex-officio Board member Kaitlin Logsdon reported to the Board that

• nine music students have been selected to perform with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for a choral performance, and five others were chosen for performances at the NYS School Music Festival;
• the fall sport season is winding down with teams beginning sectional competitions;
• student government is looking ahead to this week’s Fall Ball and at ideas for a winter assembly;
• Red Ribbon Week is being celebrated this week at the High School as well as at all schools in the District.

Superintendent of Schools Margaret Puzio provided a slideshow featuring seniors at their volunteer sites during Make a Difference Day, noting that one of the missions of the District is to help students become responsible citizens, and community volunteer work is a cornerstone of good citizenship.

Jackson Primary School Request for Part-time Aides

Superintendent of Schools Margaret Puzio noted that Jackson Primary School Principal Diane Bonarigo has requested four part-time teacher aides to help during lunch through to student dismissal time so that the full-time aides can return to classrooms (from lunch duty) where their in-class assistance is needed.

District Financial Summary Reports

   Business Administrator Scott Rozanski reported on the August 2012 revenue and expenses for the District, reviewing them in comparison to the August 2011 figures.  

   Recorded revenues were down by nearly $52,000, primarily in the Non-property Tax Items category (utility tax), which accounted for $32,500. The utility tax, as has often been reported, experiences regular fluctuations and has been trending lower than last year. Medicaid reimbursements, noted in the State and Federal Aid category, were also down by $21,000.

   Expenses were up by $1,142,000, with nearly all of that, 97%, attributable to timing issues: 46% or $525,000 was related to the timing of billed BOCES expenses; 35% was in the timing of health insurance as noted by the $406,000 increase in the Employee Benefits category; and 16% or $160,000 was due to a change in the payroll accrual accounting procedure which will help with the projection of expenditures.  The other 3% was related to one-time expenses of the consolidation process with such things as an increase in summer employees, purchase of packing supplies, and rental of moving vans.

Board member Pat Burk reported to the Board that, according to a report by Buffalo Business First, our district continues to improve its administrative efficiency ranking. The ranking is based on spending per pupil, the ration of pupils per administrative staffer, and the share of the district’s budget devoted to debt service.

Board Members' Training and Workshops

   Mrs. Puzio presented the Board with an agenda for their annual retreat which will take place in November, noting that the agenda  items were developed through reviewing suggestions made by the Board members as well as by reviewing identified needs for our district.

   In another opportunity for growing in expertise, several of the Board members will attend all or part of the annual School Board Convention in Rochester later this week. Deputy Superintendent Chris Dailey highlighted many of the workshops that may be of particular interest to Board members serving in our district, including sessions on finances, communication, negotiations, legislation, and mandates.

Board of Education Appreciation Week

   In honor of Board of Education Recognition Week, designated by the NYS School Boards Association as a week to pause and reflect on the contributions of school board members, the Batavia Clerical Association sent a thank you card to express their appreciation to the Board of Education. They included a $50 donation to the Salvation Army Backpack Program in honor of the Board. The Backpack Program provides a weekend supply of healthy snacks for District children in need. 

Fall has reached that point where it's pretty much time to start raking, mowing and blowing leaves.

Joe Pero was out on South Swan Street today blowing the leaves from his trees.

Here's an announcement from the city about leaf pickup:

City wide leaf pickup will start on Monday, Oct. 29.

One city crew will begin on River Street and head east across the south side of the city.

A second city crew will start on Grandview Terrace and head west across the north side of the city.

Residents on Oak, Main and Ellicott streets are asked to place their leaves in the parkway. All other residents are asked to place their leaves in the street near the curb line.

Leaf piles must be clear of sticks and foreign materials. The Bureau of Maintenance reminds residents that catch basins are to be kept clear of leaves. To ensure that leaves are picked up, residents are asked not to park their cars in the street where there are large piles of leaves to be picked up. Please do not pile leaves in front of mail boxes, around power poles, fences, fire hydrants or other obstacles.

Leaf pickup will continue as weather permits or through Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Starting Monday, Nov. 5, the Law Street Yard Waste Station hours will change to 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Residents are encouraged to bring leaves to the Yard Waste Station through the end of the season. (It is estimated the Yard Waste Station will remain open through Saturday, Dec. 8, before closing for the season.)

Some people have told me they've seen a forecast for snow next week. The forecast on Weather.com for the next 10 days has rain every day starting Saturday, but no snow.

John Spyropoulos, co-owner of Settler's Restaurant on West Main Street, was a little taken aback yesterday to learn that the insurance company for the owner of a car that took out his 28-year-old business sign Oct. 10 won't help pay for its replacement.

State Farm said, according to Spyropoulos, that since the alleged driver, Martin F. Jones, 41, of 120 Jackson St., Batavia, wasn't authorized to drive the vehicle, the owner's policy doesn't cover the damage.

"I thought that was what uninsured motorist was for," Spyropoulos said.

It will cost $12,000 to replace the sign and the insurance Spyropoulos has on the building will pay only for $5,000 of it.

To get his money, Spyropoulos may need to file a claim for restitution through the courts. He could file a claim for the entire $12,000 expense.

If Jones is convicted, Jones could be ordered to pay for the sign at his sentencing.

Spyropoulos said he will look into that option.

Jones was charged with felony DWI, refusal to take breath test, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage accident, unsafe backing, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, avoiding an intersection, speed not reasonable and prudent and driving on the sidewalk.

A burglary suspect turned himself in yesterday following a police investigation into a break-in at a residence on East Avenue in the city on Oct. 9.

Trevon L. Armstrong, 27, of 20 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and grand larceny, 4th.

Det. Charles Dudek investigated the case, identified Armstrong as the suspect, and asked him to turn himself in. Yesterday, he did.

A flat-screen TV and a laptop computer were recovered shortly after the burglary was reported, Dudek said.

Armstrong was arraigned in Batavia City Court and ordered held without bail.

Officer Mark Lawrence assisted in the investigation.

Notre Dame's girls soccer team beat Fillmore today for their first-ever sectional win, 1-0.

Pete Welker supplied us with three photos from the game. Above, Burgandy Bartlett kicks the only goal of the game.

Bailee Welker

Tess Diskin with the ball.

UMMC invited the public into the ICU unit today to see a new patient simulator that will be used to help train hospital staff.

The $60,000 machine is a gift from CHART, the hospital’s insurance carrier. It provides a realistic representation of various medical conditions so medical personnel can practice everything from inserting an IV to performing defibrillation.

For more info, click here.

Above, Dan Grower learns about the simulator from Pamela Lynch.

This Saturday, you can get your flapjacks flipped by Sheriff Gary Maha and served table side by District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

Saturday is the annual Pancake Days sponsored by the Batavia Kiwanis Club. Maha and Friedman are both Kiwanis members and they will be joined by a couple dozen more Kiwanis members who will ensure you get a hot, tasty breakfast for the low price of $5 (children 10 and under, and seniors, $3).

The breakfast runs from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Main and Liberty streets, in Batavia.

Arrive early. There's always a big turn out.

To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Anita at 585-813-5371, or ask a local Kiwanian.

Pictured are Anita Strollo, left, Friedman, Club President Ed Minardo, Maha, Immediate Past President David Chua and Joe Forsyth.

Below, an article about the breakfast from Anita Strollo:

It’s been a long year sampling pancakes all over Western New York to insure that this year’s Kiwanis Club of Batavia’s 54th Annual Pancake Day lives up to the reputation it had in years past.

Last year our suppliers got changed unexpectedly and we thought we were getting comparable product only to find out that the pancake batter and sausages were less than satisfying. It was too late at that point and we counted on our understanding community and the fact that so many other treats were available at the annual event which raises funds for area children’s projects.

This year Serena, Joe and I sampled a lot of pancakes! I am a notorious pancake hater so we were looking for a pancake that even I liked. When Sheriff Maha (our chief pancake cook and longtime Kiwanian) offered that he and his wife recommended a local stop for pancakes, we ventured there. They had a similar situation with pancake mixes years ago and had to go on the same type of quest!

Serena and I sampled the pancakes there and they were fabulous. After some research by us and much help from Batavia Restaurant Supply to locate a supplier on the East Coast, we are now ready to serve up the tastiest pancakes we’ve had in years. Batavia Restaurant Supply is going to be stocking the mix from now on!

Joel Chasteck from the Genesee County Nursing Home located the brand of sausage that we always used, and after we add our “secret ingredient” our customers will be very pleased.

When it looked like the bad apple crop and the closing of our cider supplier’s mill was going to preclude us from serving fresh apple cider for the first time ever, Roanoke Apple Farms quickly jumped into action. They gave us a very fair deal on cider so we can serve and sell it again at this year's breakfast.

We will also be offering a Gluten-Free option. Patricia Hawley from Fountain of Youth Organics in Brockport will be donating some pancake mix as well as lending her gluten-free designated griddle and cooking implements.

Pancake Days is so named because it used to be a two-day event.  Within the last few years, it has become a one day event that still serves the same amount of pancakes and extras as the two-day fundraiser did.

The funds raised allows Batavia Kiwanis to sponsor free community events like the Thanksgiving Day Skate, Easter Egg Hunt, AMBA Blood Screening, Kiwanis Night at the Muckdogs and so many other events.

The all-you-can-eat breakfast is fully served and includes a beverage choice of cider, coffee, milk (chocolate or white compliments of Upstate Milk Cooperative) orange juice or tea.

Pancake Days will be this Saturday, Oct. 27 at the First Presbyterian Church Service Building on the corner of Liberty and Main streets in Batavia from 7 a.m. – 2pm. Cost is $5 for adullts, $3 for seniors 62 and over and children 10 and under.

Any one child in costume accompanied by one adult will also get in free.

There will be entertainment as usual and there are tickets available at the door or from any Kiwanian.

Mercedes Shanelle Stricklin, 19, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Stricklin is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Amanda Lee McGowan, 20, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. McGowan is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Jennifer L. Stack, 33, of 48 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Stack is accused of shoplifting from the Kwik Fill at 99 Jackson St., Batavia.

UPDATED 3:25 p.m.

An attorney for one of the city firefighters accused of bookmaking said after a court appearance today that he expects the case to be resolved by Dec. 11.

That's when the three defendants in the case will return to Batavia City Court.

The defendants, Gregory Phillips, 39, of Belvedere Lane, and Brian Bordinaro, 43, of Prospect Avenue, both city firefighters, along with 41-year-old Lance Engel, of Wade Avenue, who's a chef at the Western New York Veterans Home, appeared in court today with their attorneys.

After an appearance for his client Phillips, attorney Larry Andolina said that discussions were taking place that could resolve the case and he expected a resolution by Dec. 11.

Asked if that meant a plea deal, he said he didn't know. Asked if there's a chance the charges cold be dropped, he said, "there's always a chance." Asked if there were any new developments in the case, he said, "no." 

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman confirmed that his office and attorneys for the three defendants have been in discussions. He noted that the defendants have waived their right to a speedy trial in order for discussions to take place.

Judge Robert Balbick set today's appearance date six months ago, giving the prosecution and defense a chance to work a deal or time for the DA to submit the complicated case to a grand jury.

The case has apparently not yet been presented to a grand jury.

"Typically, a case does not go to the grand jury unless and until we are unable to resolve the case without doing so," Friedman said.

The three Batavia residents were initially charged with criminal possession of gambling records, a Class E felony. Later, an additional Class B felony charge of "enterprise corruption," under New York's racketeering statute, was added.

Attorney Thomas Keane, appearing for Engel, told Balbick that he has been in discussions with Friedman and in light of those discussions, he asked for the case to be continued until Dec. 11.

Andolina and Bordinaro's attorney, Joseph LaTona, also asked for an adjournment to Dec. 11.

Photo: Phillips arriving for court.

McKayla J. Kosiorek, 18, of 304 S. Jackson St., Batavia, Terrance M. Schramm, 22, of 9 Edwards St., upper, Batavia, Isaiah Johnson, 22, of 110 Walnut St., Batavia, Kassean L. Shannon, 20, of 119 State St., #4, Batavia, Matthew J. Reed, 28, of 141 State St., #3, Batavia, Anthony M. Manners, 21, of 354 W. State St., Albion, and Alicia M. Stankwick, 21, of 319 E. Main St., #2, Batavia, are all charged with criminal trespass, 3rd. The seven individuals are accused of trespassing at 10:53 p.m., Monday, at the New Life House of God Church on Swan Street, Batavia.